Theory and modeling of light interactions with metallic nanostructures

Metallic nanostructures such as systems containing metal nanoparticles or nanostructured metal films are intriguing systems of much current interest. Surface plasmons, i.e., special electronic excitations near the metallic surfaces, can then be excited in these systems. Surface plasmons can be intense and localized, and correctly describing their behavior in complex systems can require numerically rigorous modeling techniques. The finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method is one such technique. This review discusses results obtained mostly with the FDTD method concerning (i) local surface plasmon excitations of metal nanoparticles, (ii) surface plasmon polariton propagation on layered structures, (ii) and periodic hole arrays in metal films.