Structured light in linear and nonlinear engineered media

We discuss fundamental optical phenomena at the interface of nonlinear and singular optics in artificial media, including theoretical and experimental studies of linear and nonlinear light-matter interactions of singular optical beams in metamaterials, colloidal suspensions, and gaseous media. We show that on the one hand, unique optical properties of metamaterials open unlimited prospects to “engineer” light, on the other hand, structured light beams, containing phase or polarization singularities enable new approaches to create complex photonic structures.