Plasmonics for pulsed-laser cell nanosurgery: Fundamentals and applications

Publication date: December 2013 Source:Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology C: Photochemistry Reviews, Volume 17 Author(s): E. Boulais , R. Lachaine , A. Hatef , M. Meunier This review describes the fundamental aspects of pulsed laser interaction with plasmonic nanostructures, and its applications to cell nanosurgery, including the destruction, modification or manipulation of molecular, sub-cellular and cellular structures. The review assumes no prior knowledge of the field of plasmonics and begins with a short review of the basic theory of plasmon excitation and optical properties of nanoscale metallic structures. Fundamentals of short and ultrashort laser pulse interaction with plasmonic nanostructures in a water environment are then discussed. Special emphasis is put on the consequences of the irradiation on the surrounding environment of the nanostructure, including heating, low-density plasma generation, pressure wave release and formation of vapor bubbles. The paper is concluded with a review of different applications of pulsed-laser interaction with plasmonic nanostructures for cell nanosurgery, including photothermal therapy, plasmonic enhanced cell transfection, molecular surgery and drug delivery. Graphical abstract Highlights
Source: Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology C: Photochemistry Reviews - Category: Chemistry Source Type: research