Quantum-statistical description of electromagnetic waves in dissipative media

We give a brief review of the statistical density operator approach which is adopted for studying the electromagnetic (EM) waves propagating in nonconducting linear media, their dissipation and stability. The approach provides an analytical instrument for studying sensitive and non-invasive measurements, and also for designing nanoscale EM devices including a large category of nanoscale photonic and plasmonic waveguides and resonators.