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   https://doi.org/10.1002/qute.201900087  

   May, Molly_A; Fialkow, David; Wu, Tong; Park, Kyoung‐Duck; Leng, Haixu; Kropp, Jaron_A; Gougousi, Theodosia; Lalanne, Philippe; Pelton, Matthew; Raschke, Markus_B (January 2020, Advanced Quantum Technologies)

   Abstract Quantum state control of two‐level emitters is fundamental for many information processing, metrology, and sensing applications. However, quantum‐coherent photonic control of solid‐state emitters has traditionally been limited to cryogenic environments, which are not compatible with implementation in scalable, broadly distributed technologies. In contrast, plasmonic nano‐cavities with deep sub‐wavelength mode volumes have recently emerged as a path toward room temperature quantum control. However, optimization, control, and modeling of the cavity mode volume are still in their infancy. Here recent demonstrations of plasmonic tip‐enhanced strong coupling (TESC) with a configurable nano‐tip cavity are extended to perform a systematic experimental investigation of the cavity‐emitter interaction strength and its dependence on tip position, augmented by modeling based on both classical electrodynamics and a quasinormal mode framework. Based on this work, a perspective for nano‐cavity optics is provided as a promising tool for room temperature control of quantum coherent interactions that could spark new innovations in fields from quantum information and quantum sensing to quantum chemistry and molecular opto‐mechanics. 

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2. Actin nano-architecture of phagocytic podosomes

   https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-022-32038-0  

   Herron, J. Cody; Hu, Shiqiong; Watanabe, Takashi; Nogueira, Ana T.; Liu, Bei; Kern, Megan E.; Aaron, Jesse; Taylor, Aaron; Pablo, Michael; Chew, Teng-Leong; et al (December 2022, Nature Communications)

   Abstract Podosomes are actin-enriched adhesion structures important for multiple cellular processes, including migration, bone remodeling, and phagocytosis. Here, we characterize the structure and organization of phagocytic podosomes using interferometric photoactivated localization microscopy, a super-resolution microscopy technique capable of 15–20 nm resolution, together with structured illumination microscopy and localization-based super-resolution microscopy. Phagocytic podosomes are observed during frustrated phagocytosis, a model in which cells attempt to engulf micropatterned IgG antibodies. For circular patterns, this results in regular arrays of podosomes with well-defined geometry. Using persistent homology, we develop a pipeline for semi-automatic identification and measurement of podosome features. These studies reveal an hourglass shape of the podosome actin core, a protruding knob at the bottom of the core, and two actin networks extending from the core. Additionally, the distributions of paxillin, talin, myosin II, α-actinin, cortactin, and microtubules relative to actin are characterized. 

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3. Optothermal rotation of micro-/nano-objects

   https://doi.org/10.1039/D2CC06955E  

   Ding, Hongru; Chen, Zhihan; Ponce, Carolina; Zheng, Yuebing (February 2023, Chemical Communications)

   Due to its contactless and fuel-free operation, optical rotation of micro-/nano-objects provides tremendous opportunities for cellular biology, three-dimensional (3D) imaging, and micro/nanorobotics. However, complex optics, extremely high operational power, and the applicability to limited objects restrict the broader use of optical rotation techniques. This Feature Article focuses on a rapidly emerging class of optical rotation techniques, termed optothermal rotation. Based on light-mediated thermal phenomena, optothermal rotation techniques overcome the bottlenecks of conventional optical rotation by enabling versatile rotary control of arbitrary objects with simpler optics using lower powers. We start with the fundamental thermal phenomena and concepts: thermophoresis, thermoelectricity, thermo-electrokinetics, thermo-osmosis, thermal convection, thermo-capillarity, and photophoresis. Then, we highlight various optothermal rotation techniques, categorizing them based on their rotation modes ( i.e. , in-plane and out-of-plane rotation) and the thermal phenomena involved. Next, we explore the potential applications of these optothermal manipulation techniques in areas such as single-cell mechanics, 3D bio-imaging, and micro/nanomotors. We conclude the Feature Article with our insights on the operating guidelines, existing challenges, and future directions of optothermal rotation. 

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4. Modeling and Computation of Nano-Optics

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5. Plasmonic Nano-systems for Joint Communication and Bio-sensing in the Internet of Nano-Bio Things

   Sangwan, Amit; Jornet, Josep Miquel (January 2022, IEEE journal on selected areas in communications)