Light-Matter Interaction in Hybrid Quantum Plasmonic Systems

Attempting to implement quantum information related applications utilizing atoms and photons, as they naturally form quantum systems supporting superposition states, hybrid quantum plasmonic systems emerged in the past as a platform to study and engineer light-matter interaction. This platform combines the unrivaled electromagnetic field localization of surface plasmon polaritons, boosting the light-matter coupling rate, with the tremendous integration potential of truly nanoscale structures, and both the significant emission rates of nanoantennas and photonic transmission velocities. In this work, a classical description of surface plasmon polaritons is combined with a light-matter interaction model based on a cavity quantum electrodynamical formalism. The resulting composite semi-classical method, introduced and described in this thesis, provides efficient and versatile means to simulate the dynamical behavior of radiative atomic transitions coupled to plasmonic cavity modes in the weak incoherent coupling regime. Both the emission into the far field and various dissipation mechanisms are included by expanding the model to an open quantum system. The variety of light-matter interaction applications that can be modeled with the outlined method is indicated by the four different exemplary scenarios detailed in the application chapter of this thesis. The classical description of localized surface plasmon polaritons is benchmarked by reproducing the experimental measurements of the molecular fluorescence manipulation through optical nanoantennas in a collaborative effort with experimental partners. Furthermore, in the weak light-matter coupling regime, the potential of achieving a higher nanoantenna functionality and simultaneously realizing more elaborate quantum dynamics is revealed by the three remaining applications. Each pivotally involving a bimodal nanoantenna and demonstrating different quantum optical phenomena, the implementation of cavity radiation mode conversion, non-classical cavity emission statistics, and non-classical cavity emission properties is shown and described in the application chapter

Lessons from \u3cem\u3eUSADA v. Jenkins\u3c/em\u3e: You Can\u27t Win When You Beat a Monopoly

According to the reporters who wanted to speak with LaTasha Jenkins, she was the first athlete in the seven-year history of the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) to win and clear herself of doping charges. USADA\u27s record was now thirty-seven and one. Remarkably, the flawless record was beaten by a group of third year law students and their professor. But LaTasha did not want to speak with the reporters. To LaTasha, she had not won. She had been dragged through the mud, her career had been ended, and she was emotionally exhausted. Talking to reporters would only remind her of the damage done. She would never speak to reporters and quietly retire. The story of USADA v. Jenkins, and the failed appeal by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) that followed, is the story of a lucky win against a multi-headed foe that makes all the rules, then changes the rules when it loses, in a system nearly incapable of addressing the inherent imbalance of power between athletes and their accusers. The telling of LaTasha\u27s story reveals the flaws of the Olympic Movement\u27s anti-doping system and suggests steps to fix those flaws. However, her story also shows that those flaws will not be fixed unless the underlying imbalance of power between athletes and those who control sports is changed