Non-Hermitian Optics

TL;DR

This paper introduces non-Hermitian optics, especially parity-time symmetric optics, highlighting its rapid experimental development and its roots in non-Hermitian quantum physics, aimed at undergraduate students.

Contribution

It provides a beginner-friendly overview of non-Hermitian optics, emphasizing its experimental progress and foundational concepts for students new to the field.

Findings

Rapid experimental demonstrations of parity-time symmetry in optics

Growing interest and research activity in non-Hermitian optical systems

Foundational understanding of non-Hermitian physics principles

Abstract

Non-Hermitian optics, mostly known as 'Parity-time symmetric optics', is considered as one of the frontiers areas of research in optical sciences at present. This area is largely inspired by the so-called non-Hermitian quantum physics. While the non-Hermitian quantum mechanics is yet to be accepted widely, parity-time symmetric optics is already a craze among physicists with many experimental results and demonstrations to its support. In this article, keeping under graduate students in mind, in particular, we are giving a brief introduction to this promising area of research in physics.