Metal-nanoparticle plasmonics

24 pages, 26 figures.-- PACS nrs.: 73.20.Mf, 73.22.Lp, 78.47.-p, 78.67.Bf, 81.16.Be, 81.16.Dn, 81.16.Nd.The rapid emergence of nanoplasmonics as a novel technology has been driven by recent progress in the fabrication, characterization, and understanding of metal-nanoparticle systems. In this review, we highlight some of the key advances in each of these areas. We emphasize the basic physical understanding and experimental techniques that will enable a new generation of applications in nano-optics.Work at the Center for Nanoscale Materials was supported by the U. S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, Office of Basic Energy Sciences, under Contract No. DE-AC02-06CH11357.Peer reviewe