5. Conclusion

Through numerous examples, we have seen that it is possible to photostructure matter on a nanometric scale not limited by the wavelength of light. At this scale, the interaction processes between light and matter are numerous and often involve local thermal effects. This very recent field (most of the articles cited in this dossier are less than 10 years old) has led to considerable progress in our knowledge of materials and in the development of high-performance optical nanosources. Conversely, rapid advances in nano-optics are enabling the development of nanosources suitable for nanophotostructuring. The objectives of near-field nanophotolithography should not be seen as competing with...