2018/02/14 by Stefano Longhi, Longhi, Stefano · 6 citations
Physics and Astronomy · #FOS: Physical sciences #Optics (physics.optics) #Quantum Mechanics and Non-Hermitian Physics #Quantum Physics (quant-ph)
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.1802.05025
openalex publication_date 2018/02/14 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
In the past decade, the concept of parity-time (\PT) symmetry,\noriginally introduced in non-Hermitian extensions of quantum mechanical\ntheories, has come into thinking of photonics, providing a fertile ground for\nstudying, observing, and utilizing some of the peculiar aspects of\n\PT symmetry in optics. Together with related concepts of\nnon-Hermitian physics of open quantum systems, such as non-Hermitian\ndegeneracies (exceptional points) and spectral singularities, \PT\nsymmetry represents one among the most fruitful ideas introduced in optics in\nthe past few years. Judicious tailoring of optical gain and loss in integrated\nphotonic structures has emerged as a new paradigm in shaping the flow of light\nin unprecedented ways, with major applications encompassing laser science and\ntechnology, optical sensing, and optical material engineering. In this\nperspective, I review some of the main achievements and emerging areas of\n\PT-symmetric and non-Hermtian photonics, and provide an outline of\nchallenges and directions for future research in one of the fastest growing\nresearch area of photonics.\n