Macroscopic Theories and Their Applications

Loren R. Clifford

Vlasta Peřinová, A. Lukš

Origin of Macroscopic Approach.- Macroscopic Theories and Their Applications.- Microscopic Theories.- Microscopic Models as Related to Macroscopic Descriptions.- Periodic and Disordered Media.- Conclusions.

Jagdish Mehra

Stefan Scheel, Stefan Yoshi Buhmann

Macroscopic quantum electrodynamics - Concepts and applications In this article, we review the principles of macroscopic quantum electrodynamics and discuss a variety of applications of this theory to medium-assisted atom-field coupling and dispersion forces. The theory generalises the standard mode expansion of the electromagnetic fields in free space to allow for the presence of absorbing bodies. We show that macroscopic quantum electrodynamics provides the link between isolated atomic systems and magnetoelectric bodies, and serves as an important tool for the understanding of surface-assisted atomic relaxation effects and the intimately connected position-dependent energy shifts which give rise to Casimir—Polder and van der Waals forces.

Florian Fröwis, Pavel Sekatski, Wolfgang Dür +2 more

Large-scale quantum effects have always played an important role in the foundations of quantum theory.With recent experimental progress and the aspiration for quantum enhanced applications, the interest in macroscopic quantum effects has been reinforced.In this review, measures aiming to quantify various aspects of macroscopic quantumness are critically analyzed and discussed.Recent results on the difficulties and prospects to create, maintain, and detect macroscopic quantum states are surveyed.The role of macroscopic quantum states in foundational questions as well as practical applications is outlined.Finally, past and ongoing experimental advances aiming to generate and observe macroscopic quantum states are presented.

H. Fröhlich