Short description

Bound states in the continuum (BICs) are wave solutions that remain perfectly confined despite lying at frequencies where radiation into free space is allowed. In photonic systems, such states are commonly associated with interference effects between different radiation channels and with polarization vortices in momentum space. These features point to an intrinsic connection between radiation, symmetry, and topology in photonic crystals.

This project explores BICs from a quantum-optical perspective, focusing on how radiative losses can be described within the general framework of open quantum systems. Rather than treating radiation as a purely classical leakage mechanism, the project investigates how it can be incorporated at the level of quantum dynamics, where dissipation and coherence coexist.

The goal is to develop an intuitive and flexible description of photonic BICs in terms of dissipative quantum evolution, and to examine how their distinctive properties may be reflected in the structure of the underlying dynamical operators. The project is theoretical in nature and emphasizes conceptual understanding supported by analytical reasoning and numerical modeling.

Background

  • Quantum mechanics and linear algebra
  • Basic solid-state physics and electromagnetism
  • Familiarity with photonic systems
  • Introductory notions of topology and/or open quantum systems (useful but not required)

What you will learn

  • Understand the connection between BICs, decoherence, and topology
  • Derive and interpret Lindblad master equations for photonic systems
  • Gain familiarity with decoherence-free subspaces and dissipative dynamics
  • Explore the interplay between photonics, open quantum systems, and topological physics
  • Apply analytical and numerical tools to modern problems in quantum photonics

Interested?

Feel free to contact me