Photons and electrons in mesoscopic structures: useful analogies in application to optical communication

Abstract

In the context of the existing similarities between the electron and optical properties of mesoscopic structures the problem is discussed of engineering heterogeneous media and devices with a predetermined optical transmission spectrum. Taking into account that the similarities come from isomorphism of the Schrodinger equation for an electron and the Helmholz equation for electromagnetic waves in an inhomogeneous medium, the possibility is considered to transfer experiences in solving the inverse Schroedinger problem in quantum physics to photonic engineering where the inverse Helmholtz problem is to be dealt with.