We have studied the distribution of resonance widths $P\left(\Gamma \right)$ in one-, two-, and three-dimensional multiple light scattering systems. $P\left(\Gamma \right)$ should follow a universal power law $P\left(\Gamma \right)\sim {\Gamma }^{-1}$ in the localized regime as confirmed by extensive numerical calculations. This behavior can be interpreted as an unambiguous signature of exponential Anderson localization of light in open systems.

We suggest a method for fast and robust quantum-state transfer in a Su-Schrieffer-Heeger (SSH) chain, which exploits the use of next-to-nearest-neighbor (NNN) interactions. The proposed quantum protocol combines a rapid change in the topological edge state, induced by a modulation of nearest-neighbor interactions, with a fine-tuning of NNN interactions operating a counterdiabatic driving which cancels nonadiabatic excitations. We use this shortcut technique on the edge states in order to obtain a quantum state transfer on a single dimerized chain and also through an interface that connects two dimerized Su-Schrieffer-Heeger chains with different topological order. We investigate the robustness of this protocol against both uncorrelated and correlated disorder and demonstrate its strong resilience to the former. We show that introducing spatial correlations in the disorder increases the robustness of the protocol, widening the range of its applicability. In comparison to traditional adiabatic methods, the short transfer time enabled by the NNN protocol in the SSH chains drastically improves the fidelity of the quantum state transfer.

The formation of a superstructure—with a related moiré pattern—plays a crucial role in the extraordinary optical and electronic properties of twisted bilayer graphene, including the recently observed unconventional superconductivity. Here we present an interdisciplinary approach to determine the moiré angle in twisted bilayer graphene based on the photonic spin Hall effect. We show that the photonic spin Hall effect exhibits clear fingerprints of the underlying moiré pattern, and the associated light beam shifts are well beyond current experimental sensitivities in the near-infrared and visible ranges. By discovering the dependence of the frequency position of the maximal photonic spin Hall effect shift on the moiré angle, we argue that the latter could be unequivocally accessed via all-optical far-field measurements. We also disclose that, when combined with the Goos-Hänchen effect, the spin Hall effect of light enables the complete determination of the electronic conductivity of the bilayer. Altogether our findings demonstrate that subwavelength spin-orbit interactions of light provide an unprecedented toolset for investigating optoelectronic properties of multilayer two-dimensional van der Waals materials.

We investigate the spontaneous emission rate of a two-level quantum emitter near a graphene-coated substrate under the influence of an external magnetic field or strain induced pseudomagnetic field. We demonstrate that the application of the magnetic field can substantially increase or decrease the decay rate. We show that a suppression as large as $99\%$ in the Purcell factor is achieved even for moderate magnetic fields. The emitter's lifetime is a discontinuous function of $\left|\mathbf{B}\right|$, which is a direct consequence of the occurrence of discrete Landau levels in graphene. We demonstrate that, in the near-field regime, the magnetic field enables an unprecedented control of the decay pathways into which the photon/polariton can be emitted. Our findings strongly suggest that a magnetic field could act as an efficient agent for on-demand, active control of light-matter interactions in graphene at the quantum level.

We investigate the dispersive Casimir–Polder interaction between a rubidium atom and a suspended graphene sheet subjected to an external magnetic field $\mathbf{B}$. We demonstrate that this concrete physical system allows for an unprecedented control of dispersive interactions at micro- and nanoscales. Indeed, we show that the application of an external magnetic field can induce an $80\%$ reduction in the Casimir–Polder energy relative to its value without the field. We also show that sharp discontinuities emerge in the Casimir–Polder interaction energy for certain values of the applied magnetic field at low temperatures. Moreover, for sufficiently large distances, these discontinuities show up as a plateau-like pattern with a quantized Casimir–Polder interaction energy, in a phenomenon that can be explained in terms of the quantum Hall effect. In addition, we point out the importance of thermal effects in the Casimir–Polder interaction, which we show must be taken into account even for considerably short distances. In this case, the discontinuities in the atom-graphene dispersive interaction do not occur, which by no means prevents the tuning of the interaction in $\sim 50\%$ by the application of the external magnetic field.

Single and multiple scattering of light by magnetic particles and their implications to the coherent backscattering effect are reported. Single scattering of light by small magnetic particles presents unusual features such as forward-backward asymmetry and resonance effects. In multiple scattering, this leads to a global decrease in the localization parameter $k{\ell }^{*}$, which exhibits an oscillatory dependence on the scatterer magnetic permeability. By considering magnetic scatterers following a Curie-Weiss susceptibility law, we suggest that $k{\ell }^{*}$ can be tuned by varying the temperature.