Macroscopic QED - concepts and applications

TL;DR

This paper reviews macroscopic quantum electrodynamics, highlighting its principles and applications in understanding atom-field interactions, dispersion forces, and surface effects near absorbing media.

Contribution

It introduces a generalized framework for QED in media, connecting atomic systems with magnetoelectric bodies and explaining surface-induced atomic phenomena.

Findings

Provides a unified approach to atom-field coupling in media

Explains the origin of Casimir-Polder and van der Waals forces

Links microscopic atomic effects with macroscopic material properties

Abstract

In this article, we review the principles of macroscopic quantum electrodynamics and discuss a variety of applications of this theory to medium-assisted atom-field coupling and dispersion forces. The theory generalises the standard mode expansion of the electromagnetic fields in free space to allow for the presence of absorbing bodies. We show that macroscopic quantum electrodynamics provides the link between isolated atomic systems and magnetoelectric bodies, and serves as an important tool for the understanding of surface-assisted atomic relaxation effects and the intimately connected position-dependent energy shifts which give rise to Casimir-Polder and van der Waals forces.