Comparing Classical and Quantum Electromagnetics [Special Series: Guest Editorial]

Abstract

The articles in this special section compare classical and quantum electromagnetics. The articles introduce the fundamental concepts of quantum electromagnetics and compares them to classical ones. When James Clerk Maxwell published his paper on those equations that bear his name, he could never have imagined that they would have such a wide-ranging impact. These equations are valid from static to X-ray, from subatomic length-scale to galactic length-scale, and also from classical electromagnetics to quantum electromagnetics (this includes quantum electrodynamics and quantum optics). The advent of one of the first computers by Google uses microwave photons, which have a much longer wavelength than do optical ones; therefore, much microwave/electromagnetic engineering is needed for designing many aspects of quantum technologies. Due to the ease of engineering at microwave frequencies because of the component sizes involved, many proof-of-concept works are done at microwave frequencies with well-established electromagnetic engineering.