The quest for magnetic plasmons at optical frequencies

Magnetic effects are at the basis of several relevant microwave applications, e. g., imaging, computer memory modules, magneto-inductive waveguides and metamaterials. Commonly designed at low frequencies, purely natural magnetic molecules are not readily available in the visible, due to intrinsic natural limitations of optical materials. Here, using the anomalous wave interaction of electric-plasmonic nanoparticles, we consider a basic geometry that may constitute a lumped isotropic magneto-plasmonic molecule at optical frequencies, with applications for cloaking, imaging and optical communications. (C) 2009 Optical Society of America