Adopting a novel approach, this book provides a unique "molecular perspective" on plasmonics, concisely presenting the fundamentals and applications in a way suitable for beginners entering this hot field as well as for experienced researchers and practitioners.<br>It begins by introducing readers to the optical effects that occur at the nanoscale and particularly their modification in the presence of biomolecules, followed by a concise yet thorough overview of the different methods for the actual fabrication of nano-optical materials. Further chapters address the relevant nano-optics, as well as the various approaches to combining nanostructures and biomolecules to achieve certain desired functionalities for applications in the fields of probing, sensing and particle manipulation.<br>For analytical biologists, physical chemists, materials scientists and medicinal chemists.