Non-Equilibrium Thermodynamics from the Electromagnetic Point of View and Advanced light-matter interaction

In this seminar I will review my current research activity and interests. These can be roughly divided into two: Energy, and basic light-matter interaction. On the energy front I will describe recent attempt to combine non-equilibrium thermodynamics with electromagnetics. This research is motivated by the need to find the limiting efficiency of devices whose optics cannot be considered under the approximation of rays. Among such devices are conceptual solar cells that incorporate light management techniques form the realm of nano- and metal-optics. On the second front, namely basic light-matter interaction, I will describe for the first time in public what I believe to be a groundbreaking approach to synthetic nonlinear activity in metal-dielectric composites. This research aims at stronger nonlinear activity with immediate emphasis on second order processes such as sum and difference frequency generation.