Coherent control of light-matter interactions in polarization standing waves.

ABSTRACT: We experimentally demonstrate that standing waves formed by two coherent counter-propagating light waves can take a variety of forms, offering new approaches to the interrogation and control of polarization-sensitive light-matter interactions in ultrathin (subwavelength thickness) media. In contrast to familiar energy standing waves, polarization standing waves have constant electric and magnetic energy densities and a periodically varying polarization state along the wave axis. counterintuitively, anisotropic ultrathin (meta)materials can be made sensitive or insensitive to such polarization variations by adjusting their azimuthal angle.

SUBMITTER: Fang X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4981885 | biostudies-other | 2016

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-other