Time reversal symmetry in optics

TL;DR

This paper reviews how time reversal symmetry is used in optical experiments, explaining the core concepts, providing examples, and discussing its implications in the field.

Contribution

It offers a comprehensive overview of time reversal symmetry applications in optics, highlighting recent developments and practical implications.

Findings

Time reversal symmetry enables novel optical experiment designs

Examples demonstrate practical applications of time reversal in optics

Discussion of implications guides future research directions

Abstract

The utilization of time reversal symmetry in designing and implementing (quantum) optical experiments has become more and more frequent over the past years. We review the basic idea underlying time reversal methods, illustrate it with several examples and discuss a number of implications.