noun

• A quantum or quasiparticle associated with a local collective oscillation of charge density.

  ‘It is based upon the coupling of plasmons (charge density oscillations) excited by light in thin metal films, with waveguide modes in a dielectric layer overcoating the metal film.’

  More example sentences

  • ‘At each groove, plasmons scatter and radiate some light, while some plasmon energy remains to travel to the next groove.’
  • ‘The surface plasmons then decay into photons, which are emitted from the surface.’
  • ‘According to their calculations, when light shines on the largest sphere, it sets up a surface plasmon - a wave of vibrating electrons on the surface of the sphere - that creates an oscillating electric field.’
  • ‘When light strikes a metallic material, waves of electrons, called plasmons, are generated.’