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Nanofocusing of electromagnetic radiation, that is, reducing the cross sections of propagating optical modes far beyond the diffraction limit in dielectric media, can be achieved in tapered metal-dielectric waveguides that support surface plasmon-polariton modes. Although the main principles of nanofocusing were formulated over a decade ago, a deep theoretical understanding and conclusive experimental verification were achieved only a few years ago. These advances have spawned a variety of new important technological possibilities for the efficient delivery, control and manipulation of optical radiation on the nanoscale. Here, we present the underlying physical principles of radiation nanofocusing in metallic nanostructures, overview recent progress and major developments, and consider future directions and potential applications of this subfield of nano-optics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent years have seen a rapid expansion of research into nanophotonics based on surface plasmon–polaritons. These electromagnetic waves propagate along metal–dielectric interfaces and can be guided by metallic nanostructures beyond the diffraction limit. This remarkable capability has unique prospects for the design of highly integrated photonic signal-processing systems, nanoresolution optical imaging techniques and sensors. This Review summarizes the basic principles and major achievements of plasmon guiding, and details the current state-of-the-art in subwavelength plasmonic waveguides, passive and active nanoplasmonic components for the generation, manipulation and detection of radiation, and configurations for the nanofocusing of light. Potential future developments and applications of nanophotonic devices and circuits are also discussed, such as in optical signals processing, nanoscale optical devices and near-field microscopy with nanoscale resolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The approximate method of analysis of grazing-angle scattering (GAS), based on allowance for the diffractional divergence of the scattered wave, is justified and extended to GAS in infinitely wide, slanted, periodic gratings. The analysis has revealed an unusual and strong dependence of the pattern of GAS on small variations of mean structural parameters at the grating boundary. Several times increase of already resonantly large scattered wave amplitudes can be achieved in this case. Sharp resonance-like maximums on the angular dependence of the scattered wave amplitude are predicted inside the grating. The theory is extended to the case of GAS of optical modes guided by a slab with a semi-infinite periodic groove array. Physical interpretation of the obtained results is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the existence of coupled wedge plasmons (CWP) which propagates along a nano gap of twin metal wedges. This CWP were formed by wedge plasmons which can interact with each other. The study has stated that the dispersion relations of the wavenumber, propagation distance, and beam area of CWP, have showed that the characteristics of CWP were similar to wedge plasmons and gap plasmons.

Clinical and biochemical diversity of Parkinson's disease (PD) presents a major challenge for accurate diagnosis and prediction of its progression. We propose, develop and optimize PD clinical scores as efficient integrated progression biomarkers for prediction of the likely rate of cognitive decline in PD patients. We considered 269 drug-naïve participants from the Parkinson's Progression Marker Initiative database, diagnosed with idiopathic PD and observed between 4 and 6 years. Nineteen baseline clinical and pathological measures were systematically considered. Relative variable importance and logistic regressions were used to optimize combinations of significant baseline measures as integrated biomarkers. Parkinson's disease cognitive decline scores were designed as new clinical biomarkers using optimally categorized baseline measures. Specificities and sensitivities of the biomarkers reached ~93% for prediction of severe rate of cognitive decline (with more than 5 points decline in 4 years on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment scale), and up to ~73% for mild-to-moderate decline (between 1 and 5 points decline). The developed biomarkers and clinical scores could resolve the long-standing clinical problem about reliable prediction of PD progression into cognitive deterioration. The outcomes also provide insights into the contributions of individual clinical and pathological measures to PD progression, and will assist with better-targeted treatment regiments, stratification of clinical trial and their evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]