Theory and technology of SPASERs

Abstract

Spaser is an acronym for surface plasmon amplification by stimulated emission of ra-diation. A spaser is effectively a nanoscale laser with subwavelength dimensions and a low-Q plasmonic resonator, which sustains its oscillations using stimulated emission of surface plasmons. The concept of stimulated emission to sustain plasmonic oscillations in a resonator was first described by David Bergman and Mark Stockman in 2003. Using a unified notation, we provide an up-to-date literature review of the major developments and latest advances in spaser theory and carry out a systematic exposition of some of the key results useful to understand the operation of spasers. Our presentation covers both se..