Spaser is an acronym for surface plasmon amplification by stimulated emission of radiation. A spaser is a nanoscale laser with subwavelength dimensions and a low-Q plasmonic resonator, which sustains its oscillations using stimulated emission of surface plasmons. We have made several advances in spaser theory, including innovating biocompatible spasers, electrically powered spasers and various 2D materials-based spasers.

We review of the major developments and latest advances in spaser theory and carry out a systematic exposition of some of the key results useful to understand the operation of spasers. Our work covers both semiclassical and quantum-mechanical formulations of spaser models as well as various designs and technologies demonstrated/suggested to illustrate key aspects of this technology.