Abstract: A light irradiation device for irradiating polarized light having a light source, a device-side polarizer for polarizing light of the light source and a measuring device that measures a polarization axis of the light polarized by the device-side polarizer is provided, an extinction ratio of the device-side polarizer being set to 100:1 or more.

Abstract: A plasmonic device has a plurality of nanostructures extending from a substrate. Each of the plurality of nanostructures preferably includes a core, a coating of intermediate material covering at least a portion of the core, and a coating of a plasmonic material. Devices are preferably manufactured using lithography to create the cores, and Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition (PECVD) to deposit the intermediate and/or plasmonic materials. Cores can be arranged in any suitable pattern, including one-dimensional or two-dimensional patterns. Devices can be used in airborne analyte detectors, in handheld roadside controlled substance detectors, in genome sequencing device, and in refraction detectors.