Nordlander's research focuses on theoretical nanophotonics and plasmonics. He has collaborated extensively with
Naomi Halas at
Rice University on the development of plasmonic nanostructures and their applications in optics, sensing, and catalysis. Together with Halas and then-student Emil Prodan (now Professor of Physics at Yeshiva University), Nordlander developed the Plasmon Hybridization model. This theory explains the plasmonic properties of nanoparticles of complex shapes in terms of interacting primitive plasmon modes. His group has investigated plasmonic nanocavities, nanoparticle dimers, and active optical antennas. These studies revealed symmetry-breaking effects, Fano resonances, and quantum plasmonic behaviors in metallic nanostructures. == Recognition ==