Magnetic Light and Matter Interactions

Light and matter interactions are widely considered to be mediated solely by the electric field part of light, neglecting the other major component of electromagnetic waves. This is particularly relevant in quantum optics where the electric field component of the light couples to the electric dipole of a quantum system. However, the optical electric and magnetic fields carry the same amount of energy, leading to the conclusion that half of the interactions between light and matter are neither studied or exploited.

The aim of our research is to develop innovative optical nanoantennas to tailor the 'magnetic light' and matter interactions at the nanoscale.

We theoretically design, physically nanostructure and experimentally characterize photonic antennas that create pure, strong and confined magnetic hot spot of light, and place them deterministically in close proximity to quantum emitters carrying magnetic dipole transitions, increasing the 'magnetic light' and matter interactions dramatically.

This research program represents a new paradigm in the fundamental understanding of light and matter interactions and will open complete new horizons in research fields as diverse as nanotechnology, sensing, biology, quantum and molecular chiral optics, nonlinear and nano-optics, spintronics, and metamaterials, among others.