Welcome to the Photonics, Phononics and Quantum Wave Transport Group

The understanding and control of classical and quantum wave propagation in naturally occurring or engineered complex media is a core challenge for photonics, microwave, acoustics, condensed matter, and mathematical physics. Multiple scattering in such systems and the consequent interference of many propagating paths, as well as the realization of novel mathematical symmetries, generate extraordinary dynamical complexity and sensitivity as well as exotic wave transport characteristics. Recent breakthroughs include the discovery of random and chaotic microlasers and antilasers (coherent perfect absorbers), photonic and phononic metamaterials, thermal rectifiers, and the identification of a new kind of synthetic Parity-time (PT)-symmetric media with delicately balanced absorption and amplification.

Our group is active in these research fronts with contributions on modeling, and development of mathematical tools that allow us to predict and describe novel features of wave transport in such artificial structures. Some of our recent achievements include the promotion of PT-symmetric media in optics and radio-frequency domains, the proposition of non-reciprocal photonic and thermal architectures, the design of non-sacrificial power limiters, and the development of a statistical formalism for the analysis of thermal transport in complex media.

Details on some of our recent and ongoing research projects can be found under Research.