Helicity and duality symmetry in light matter interactions: Theory and applications

TL;DR

This thesis develops theoretical tools based on helicity and duality symmetry to analyze and engineer light-matter interactions, leading to new insights in optical activity, zero backscattering, and metamaterials.

Contribution

It introduces a unified theoretical framework for using helicity and duality symmetry in electromagnetic interactions, with practical applications in various photonics fields.

Findings

Enhanced understanding of optical activity and zero backscattering.

Design guidelines for metamaterials in transformation optics.

Insights into nanophotonics phenomena involving electromagnetic angular momentum.

Abstract

In my thesis, I first develop the theoretical basis and tools for the use of helicity and duality in the study, understanding and engineering of interactions between electromagnetic radiation and material systems. Then, within the general framework of symmetries and conservation laws, I apply the theoretical results to several different problems: Optical activity, zero backscattering, metamaterials for transformation optics and nanophotonics phenomena involving the electromagnetic angular momentum. The tool has provided new insights and design guidelines in all these cases.