The Dirac equation in classical optics

Abstract: The Dirac equation is a relativistic equation of quantum mechanics, often used to describe high energy electrons.  At first glance this has nothing to do with classical optics.  It is an apparent non-starter: not only is light a boson, but it has zero mass!  Nevertheless, as we shall see in this talk, the mathematical structure of the classical Maxwell equations and the Dirac equation is almost identical.  This similarity is useful for navigating the space of possible electromagnetic materials (metamaterials).  I shall show that through using the connection with the Dirac equation, we can design materials that act as effective gauge fields for light, support one-way propagating optical edge modes, or act as perfect absorbers.

If you are interested in participating in person, please contact classi@sns.it by June 15 at 9 am. 

The seminar will also be available on Teams, at the link:

https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_ZWU1MTcyOTAtYzE0Yi00MTc4LTllNGMtZmQzMzQzNGZlZTI1%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%2260240b54-f639-46a1-bf85-a1aba95550fe%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%221cafb13e-1967-43dd-9a5e-521c477dcc72%22%7d

For additional information, please contact giuseppe.larocca@sns.it.