Plasmons are collective oscillations of free electrons in a material, typically occurring in metals. When light interacts with these electrons, it can cause them to oscillate, creating a wave-like phenomenon. This interaction is crucial in fields like nanotechnology and plasmonics, where plasmons can enhance light-matter interactions. These oscillations can be harnessed for various applications, including sensors, imaging, and photovoltaics. By manipulating plasmons, researchers can develop devices that operate at the nanoscale, leading to advancements in optical communication and energy harvesting. Understanding plasmons is essential for improving the efficiency of these technologies.