Quantum theory of light in linear media : applications to quantum optics and quantum plasmonics

2020

We develop a method of quantization of the electromagnetic field interacting with passive media on one hand, and active (plasmonic) media on the other hand. This method relies on the construction of a Hamiltonian structure compatible with the Maxwell equations, and then on a principle of correspondence and the definition of a Fock space of quantum states. We use the results of the quantum theory to study the propagation of photons in dielectric environments and the emission of single plasmons.