Plasmonic nanoparticles have very large absorption cross sections and can concentrate the local density of photon states on the nano scale. When they are coupled to molecules or semiconductor nanocrystals and form different hybrid nanostructures, various light-matter interaction processes can be significantly enhanced or manipulated, including optical responses like fluorescence...
The unique ability of plasmonic nanoparticles to localize and enhance resonant electromagnetic fields has enabled a wealth of discoveries from enhanced spectroscopies to driving chemical reactions on the nanoscale. In this thesis, we strive to both drive and observe chemistry on plasmonic surfaces. First, we examine the possibility of driving...