The author has produced a detailed and accessible research monograph on nanophotonic chemical reactions, including new photochemical reactions and their applications. This monograph should be of interest to scientists and graduate students involved in the emerging fields of molecular and materials science in connection with nanophotonics.
Beyond the introduction of the non-uniform optical near field (ONF) with second-harmonic generation, the author exemplifies the successful applications of ONF via new photochemical reactions that improve response mechanisms. This includes ONF-assisted water splitting and CO2 reduction in metal complexes. Furthermore, photoexcitation of DNA with ONF are studied in the context of dimerization of polythymine. In addition, wave vector excitations are applied to silicon-based photodetectors.
Readers primarily interested in fabrication of ultraflat surfaces are introduced to the analysis of photochemical modified surfaces in connection with spectroscopy and atomic force microscope analysis. In particular, near-field etching methods are discussed in detail with respect to improving properties of materials like nanodiamonds, a topic that should attract a wide readership.
Review by Axel Mainzer Koenig, CEO, Mainzer Koenig Research Associates, Portland, Ore., USA.
The opinions expressed in the book review section are those of the reviewer and do not necessarily reflect those of OPN or OSA.