Colloquium: Geometric phases of light: Insights from fiber bundle theory
C. Cisowski, J. B. Götte, and S. Franke-Arnold
Rev. Mod. Phys. 94, 031001 (2022) – Published 18 July 2022

This Colloquium reviews the role of geometric phases in optics from the perspective of fiber bundle theory. The transformation of the polarization of light by discrete optical components illustrates many elements of the theoretical formalism, and an outlook is presented for the study and application of geometric phases in higher dimensions through analyses of higher order Gaussian modes and general vectorial fields.

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Colloquium: Multiscale modeling of brain network organization
Charley Presigny and Fabrizio De Vico Fallani
Rev. Mod. Phys. 94, 031002 (2022) – Published 2 August 2022

The brain is a formidably complex system made of neurons and neuronal ensembles that segregate and integrate information across organized layers at multiple spatial and temporal scales. A physicist’s perspective is provided on modeling the brain as interconnected and multilayered networks that grow into complex organizations for processing information dynamically. The analytical tools for multilayer networks root deeply in statistical physics that render interpretable features connecting network patterns as biomarkers to a mental state or brain diseases.

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Micius quantum experiments in space
Chao-Yang Lu, Yuan Cao, Cheng-Zhi Peng, and Jian-Wei Pan
Rev. Mod. Phys. 94, 035001 (2022) – Published 6 July 2022

The Micius satellite, launched from China in August 2016, is the first and only satellite dedicated entirely to quantum experiments. The ultralow loss transmission of photons on most of the path between ground and space enables quantum communication capabilities that are still far from being realized. This review details the commissioning of Micius as a full quantum communications system, and describes the achievement of global-scale quantum key distribution, entanglement distribution, and other fundamental studies, with this unique space-based system.

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Optical diagnostics of laser-produced plasmas
S. S. Harilal, M. C. Phillips, D. H. Froula, K. K. Anoop, R. C. Issac, and F. N. Beg
Rev. Mod. Phys. 94, 035002 (2022) – Published 15 August 2022

Laser-produced plasmas (LPP) are important for fundamental research, industrial, and medical applications. Typical laser intensities used for producing these plasmas are low to moderate, and the plasma conditions change with both space and time, can be spatially inhomogeneous, and have various degrees of ionization states for the ionized material. Measuring these properties is key for understanding, tailoring, and optimizing the plasma conditions. This review provides an overview of optical diagnostic tools employed for the characterization of the LPPs and emphasizes techniques, associated assumptions, and challenges.

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Interplay between optical vortices and condensed matter
Guillermo F. Quinteiro Rosen, Pablo I. Tamborenea, and Tilmann Kuhn
Rev. Mod. Phys. 94, 035003 (2022) – Published 25 August 2022

The interaction between light and matter is a subject of ongoing fundamental interest at the intersection of optics and condensed-matter physics. This review discusses how the structuring of light into optical vortices leads to distinctive optical selection rules and coupling to sample geometry, requiring reformulation of the standard theory for interaction of plane-wave light with matter. The interactions of optical vortices with semiconductor nanostructures, quantum rings, and 2D materials are presented. The results suggest further avenues for fundamental investigation as well as current and prospective applications in quantum control, communications, and sensing.

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Erratum: Colloquium: Statistical mechanics and thermodynamics at strong coupling: Quantum and classical [Rev. Mod. Phys. 92, 041002 (2020)]
Peter Talkner and Peter Hänggi
Rev. Mod. Phys. 94, 039901 (2022) – Published 29 July 2022
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