Waves and Energy in Chiral Nihility

TLDR

Chiral nihility is a material with zero permittivity and permeability. The authors analyze wave solutions, energy, and reflection/refraction at a chiral nihility interface. The material can be realized with small helical inclusions, supports a backward extraordinary wave, and produces a standing‑phase wave on normal incidence while oblique incidence yields two refracted waves, one with anomalous refraction. Keywords: chiral nihility, backward wave, anomalous refraction.

Abstract

Abstract A model for a chiral material in which both the permittivity and permeability are equal to zero is discussed. Such a material is referred by us as a "chiral nihility". It is shown that this exotic material can be realized as a mixture of small helical inclusions. Wave solutions and energy in such a medium are analyzed. It is shown that an extraordinary wave in chiral nihility is a backward wave. Wave reflection and refraction on a chiral nihility interface are also considered. It is shown that a linearly polarized wave normally incident onto this interface produces a wave of "standing phase" and the same wave in the case of oblique incidence causes two refracted waves, one of them with an anomalous refraction. Keywords: