摘要： Plasmon induced transparency (PIT) in the transparent window provides new insights into the design of optical filters, switches and storage, and integrated optics. The slow light effect makes PIT applicable to both sensors and slow light devices. Besides, PIT can overcome the diffraction limit of light, which makes it possible to manipulate light on a half-wavelength scale and brings good news to the miniaturization of optical devices. In this paper, we first summarize the researches of PIT phenomenon based on metal-dielectric-metal (MDM) waveguide systems and analyze the physical mechanisms of PIT including bright-dark mode interactions and phase-coupling-induced transparency. Then, we review the applications of PIT in optical sensing, optical filtering, optical switching, slow light devices and optical logic devices. At last, we outline important challenges that need to be addressed, provide corresponding solutions and predict important directions for future research in this area.