Fundamentals of nano-optics in hyperbolic van der Waals materials

Abstract

Light, a ubiquitous natural resource, plays a central role in our lives. On the most fundamental level, through photosynthesis, light is at the origin of life itself. It is also the reason why we can see, one of our most primary tools for understanding our surroundings and making sense of the world. The study and manipulation of light have led to innumerable technological advancements in diverse scientific fields, including communications, chemistry, security and disease diagnosis. Optical instruments, such as lenses, microscopes, cameras, radios, routers, optical fibers or lasers, have become indispensable in our daily lives, as they have transformed the way we communicate, and hence reshaped our reality