Zero-index structures as an alternative platform for quantum optics
Abstract
Metamaterials provide additional venues for routing and shaping waves, as well as manipulating wave–matter interactions. In principle, similar concepts and techniques could be applied to engineer the properties of quantized fields. Here, we theoretically demonstrate that structures with a near-zero refractive index are capable of inhibiting and then selectively exciting electric field vacuum fluctuations. This effect might offer different pathways to manipulate quantized fields with metamaterials. We illustrate this point by investigating the decay dynamics of a quantum emitter embedded in a zero-index shell. For this particular example, we theoretically show how the distinctive features of zero-index media enable unique phenomena, such as a direct modulation of the vacuum Rabi frequency by deforming the zero-index shell.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Pub Defense Publication
- Publication Date
- Jan 17, 2017
- Source ID
- 10.1073/pnas.1611924114
Entities
People
- Iñigo Liberal
- Nader Engheta
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- Office of Naval Research
- University of Pennsylvania