Applications of Epsilon-Near-Zero (ENZ) Materials to Quantum Devices

A variety of nanoscale phenomena are driven by quantum fluctuations, including spontaneous emission and the Casimir effect (i.e. the generation of forces between charge neutral objects at the nanoscale). By engineering these phenomena, we can develop next generation light sources, detectors, and microscale actuators that are not conceivable with classical physics. In this talk, I will describe our use of epsilon-near-zero (ENZ) materials to engineer these quantum effects and how they can be applied to various technologies. Specifically, we will show how ENZ materials can be used to control the spontaneous emission rate of quantum emitters and present the concept of electromagnetic bandgaps for nanoparticles comprising an ENZ material. Further, we will show how tunable ENZ materials can be used to convert electrical bias into mechanical motion through the modification of the allowed modes within a cavity composed of an ENZ material. Finally, we will discuss the outlook for using the concepts in future device architectures.