We are glad to present
Darrick Chang
Monday, 22 May 2023 at 18:00
Freihaus Hörsaal 3 at TU Wien (Wiedner Hauptstraße 8, 1040 Vienna, 2. OG)
The maximum refractive index of optical materials: from quantum optics to quantum chemistry
It is interesting to observe that all known optical materials have a refractive index that is of order unity at visible/telecom wavelengths. Furthermore, it is not easy to reconcile this with the fact that the individual atoms making up the material are well-known to have a huge optical response near resonance, when isolated, as characterized by a scattering cross section that is much larger than the physical size of the atom. Here, we discuss the role that non-perturbative collective effects and multiple scattering of light have on determining the index of a collection of atoms, starting from the “quantum optics” regime of well-isolated atoms, to the “quantum chemistry” regime relevant for real-life solids. We elucidate various mechanisms by which the index can be limited, either by pure electrodynamic effects or by many-body effects associated with quantum chemistry. We develop a minimal model suggesting that an ultrahigh index material (n~30) with low losses is in principle allowed by the laws of nature. If realizable, such a material would have profound implications for optical technologies, due to the extreme reduction of optical wavelength.
Host: Maksym Serbyn (ISTA)
For further information and a Zoom link please visit: https://vcq.quantum.at/colloquium-ss-23/
Program
18:00 – Student Talk by Helmut Hörner (TU Wien) “Massively Degenerate Coherent Perfect Absorber for Arbitrary Wavefronts”
18:15 – VCQ Colloquium talk by Prof. Chang
***After the talk drinks & snacks on the roof-top terrace (Freihaus, Tower A, 9. OG )***
