My latest research grant from ANRF is on “Opto-Thermal Binding of Plasmonic Matter”. This is a topic that is at the interface of optical momentum, thermodynamics, statistical physics, and advanced optical microscopy in the real and momentum spaces.
Optical momentum and its measurement have a rich history in understanding electromagnetic waves and their interaction with matter. Over the past century, multiple applications have emerged that harness the transfer of momentum from light to matter. Interestingly, the light that is scattered off this interaction also carries relevant information not only about the interaction but also about certain parameters of light and the participating matter.
These lectures are my attempt to give an overview of the field. My main target audience is my PhD group members and senior undergraduates who are working with me. But these lectures can be followed by anyone who is seriously interested in physics. The discussion involves theoretical optical physics (including elements of statistical and quantum optics), experimental techniques (including advanced microscopy methods) and a few computational techniques connected to the interaction. The goal of the lectures is to reveal the interesting questions in research papers, review articles, monographs and conference papers related to the field and their possible application in industries, including biophotonics and astro and space-photonics. From time to time, I will also discuss our research results from the project.
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