Abstract: A plasmonic switching device and method of providing a plasmonic switching device. An example device includes a resonant cavity and an electromagnetic radiation feed arranged to couple electromagnetic radiation into the resonant cavity and at least one plasmonic mode. The resonant cavity is arranged to be switchable between: a first state in which the resonant cavity has an operational characteristic selected to allow resonance of the electromagnetic radiation at a frequency of the at least one plasmonic mode; and a second state in which the operational characteristic of the resonant cavity is adjusted to inhibit resonance of the electromagnetic radiation at a frequency of the at least one plasmonic mode.

Abstract: A plasmonic switching device and method of providing a plasmonic switching device. An example device includes a resonant cavity and an electromagnetic radiation feed arranged to couple electromagnetic radiation into the resonant cavity and at least one plasmonic mode. The resonant cavity is arranged to be switchable between: a first state in which the resonant cavity has an operational characteristic selected to allow resonance of the electromagnetic radiation at a frequency of the at least one plasmonic mode; and a second state in which the operational characteristic of the resonant cavity is adjusted to inhibit resonance of the electromagnetic radiation at a frequency of the at least one plasmonic mode.

Abstract: A plasmonic switching device and method of providing a plasmonic switching device. An example device includes a resonant cavity and an electromagnetic radiation feed arranged to couple electromagnetic radiation into the resonant cavity and at least one plasmonic mode. The resonant cavity is arranged to be switchable between: a first state in which the resonant cavity has an operational characteristic selected to allow resonance of the electromagnetic radiation at a frequency of the at least one plasmonic mode; and a second state in which the operational characteristic of the resonant cavity is adjusted to inhibit resonance of the electromagnetic radiation at a frequency of the at least one plasmonic mode.

Abstract: A plasmonic switching device and method of providing a plasmonic switching device. An example device includes a resonant cavity and an electromagnetic radiation feed arranged to couple electromagnetic radiation into the resonant cavity and at least one plasmonic mode. The resonant cavity is arranged to be switchable between: a first state in which the resonant cavity has an operational characteristic selected to allow resonance of the electromagnetic radiation at a frequency of the at least one plasmonic mode; and a second state in which the operational characteristic of the resonant cavity is adjusted to inhibit resonance of the electromagnetic radiation at a frequency of the at least one plasmonic mode.

Abstract: A plasmonic coupling device (1) comprising a first structure (2), and a second structure (3) comprising two or more conductive nanoparticles (7), wherein each nanoparticle is elongate and is attached to the first structure such that it is oriented with a major axis thereof substantially perpendicular to the first structure. In a plasmonic coupling device comprising such nanoparticles, radiation incident on the device can produce localised surface plasmons in the nanoparticles. The localised surface plasmons can become deiocalised along the device, due to the near-field electromagnetic interaction between the two or more nanoparticles or between the one or more nanoparticles of an assembly and a nearby assembly or assemblies. This interaction allows for electro-magnetic energy, and the radiation, to be efficiently coupled between the nanoparticles or between the assemblies of one or more nanoparticles.

Abstract: A surface plasmon element comprising an array of metal nanoparticles (1) with an adsorbed layer of resonant material and the use of such material to activate said array.

Abstract: A system and a method for determining a break point of a plurality of hog carcasses is disclosed. The method includes establishing at least one criterion for determining whether the loin of a carcass should be boned. Data is then collected from the hog carcasses relating to the quality of the hog carcasses. Next a determination is made, based on the criteria, whether the loin of a selected carcass of the plurality of hog carcasses is appropriate for boning. If so, the break point of the selected carcass is adjusted appropriately.

Abstract: A system and a method for determining a break point of a plurality of hog carcasses is disclosed. The method includes establishing at least one criterion for determining whether the loin of a carcass should be boned. Data is then collected from the hog carcasses relating to the quality of the hog carcasses. Next a determination is made, based on the criteria, whether the loin of a selected carcass of the plurality of hog carcasses is appropriate for boning. If so, the break point of the selected carcass is adjusted appropriately.

Abstract: A system and a method for determining a break point of a plurality of hog carcasses is disclosed. The method includes establishing at least one criterion for determining whether the loin of a carcass should be boned. Data is then collected from the hog carcasses relating to the quality of the hog carcasses. Next a determination is made, based on the criteria, whether the loin of a selected carcass of the plurality of hog carcasses is appropriate for boning. If so, the break point of the selected carcass is adjusted appropriately.