KATHERINE SYTWU, AERON TYNES HAMMACK, THOMAS DARLINGTON
Nanoscale light-matter interactions are used to enhance light emission, sensing, and conversion processes in a variety of applications, including quantum information, biosensing, and photocatalysis. By modifying the local density of optical states through nanostructures such as optical cavities, resonators, and/or plasmonic nanoparticles, one can manipulate how photons decay and radiate. Achieving such photon management in reality, though, relies on advances in nanofabrication and characterization of nanoscale photonic systems, from the realization of high-quality nanophotonic structures to optical characterization at sub-wavelength to near-atomic length scales. This symposium will highlight advances and challenges in fabricating nanophotonic devices and the growing suite of characterization techniques (near-field scanning optical microscopy, cathodoluminescence, electron energy loss spectroscopy, etc.) that offer complementary insight into nanoscale optical properties.