Quantum metamaterial
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Quantum metamaterials extend the science of metamaterials to the quantum level. They can control electromagnetic radiation by applying the rules of quantum mechanics. In the broad sense, a quantum metamaterial is a metamaterial in which certain quantum properties of the medium must be taken into account and whose behaviour is thus described by both Maxwell's equations and the Schrödinger equation. Its behaviour reflects the existence of both EM waves and matter waves. The constituents can be at nanoscopic or microscopic scales, depending on the frequency range (e.g., optical or microwave).[1] [2] [3][4][5]
In a more strict approach, a quantum metamaterial should demonstrate coherent quantum dynamics. Such a system is essentially a spatially extended controllable quantum object that allows additional ways of controlling the propagation of electromagnetic waves.[2][3][4][5][6]
Quantum metamaterials can be narrowly defined as optical media that:[7]