Microwave Imaging Using a Tunable Reflectarray Antenna and Superradiance in Open Quantum Systems

Theory, experiment, and computation are the three paradigms for scientific discoveries. This dissertation includes work in all three areas. The first part is dedicated to the practical design and development of a microwave imaging system, a problem mostly experimental and computational in nature. The second part discusses theoretical foundations of possible future advances in quantum signal transmission. In part one, a new active microwave imaging system is proposed. At the heart of this novel system lies an electronically reconfigurable beam-scanning reflectarray antenna. The high tuning capability of the reflectarray provides a broad steering range of +\- 60 degrees in two distinct frequency bands: S and F bands. The array, combined with an external source, dynamically steers the incoming beam across this range in order to generate multi-angle projection data for target detection. The collected data is then used for image reconstruction by means of time reversal signal processing technique. Our design significantly reduces cost and operational complexities compared to traditional imaging systems. In conventional systems, the region of interest is enclosed by a costly array of transceiver antennas which additionally requires a complicated switching circuitry. The inclusion of the beam scanning array and the utilization of a single source, eliminates the need for multiple antennas and the involved circuitry. In addition, unlike conventional setups, this system is not constrained by the dimensions of the object under test. Therefore the inspection of large objects, such as extended laminate structures, composite airplane wings and wind turbine blades becomes possible. Experimental results of detection of various dielectric targets as well as detecting anomalies within them, such as defects and metallic impurities, using the imaging prototype are presented.The second part includes the theoretical consideration of three different problems: quantum transport through two different nanostructures, a solid state device suitable for quantum computing and spherical plasmonic nanoantennas and waveguides. These three physically different systems are all investigated within a single quantum theory; the effective non-Hermitian Hamiltonian framework. The non-Hermitian Hamiltonian approach is a convenient mathematical formalism for the description of open quantum systems. This method based on the Feshbach projection formalism provides an alternative to popular methodssuch as the Feynman diagrammatic techniques and the master equation approach that are commonly used for studying open quantum systems. It is formally exact but very flexible and can be adjusted to many specific situations. One bright phenomenon emerging in the situation with a sufficiently strong continuum coupling in the case when the number of open channels is relatively small compared to the number of involved intrinsic states is the so-called superradiance. Being an analog of superradiance in quantum optics, this term stands for the formation in the system of a collective superposition of the intrinsic states coherently coupled to the same decay channel. The footprint of superradiance in each system is investigated in detail. In the quantum transport problem, signal transmission is greatly enhanced at the transition to superradiance. In the proposed solid state based charge qubit, the superradiant states effectively protect the remaining internal states from decaying into the continuum and hence increase the lifetime of the device. Finally, the superradiance phenomenon provides us a tool to manipulate light at the nanoscale. It is responsible for the existence of modes with distinct radiation properties in a system of coupled plasmonic nanoantennas: superradiant states with enhanced and dark modes with extremely damped radiation. Furthermore, similar to the quantum case, energy transport through a plasmonic waveguide is greatly enhanced.