A Plethora of Negative-Refraction Phenomenons in Relativistic and Non-Relativistic Scenarios

TL;DR

This paper clarifies the distinctions among various negative refraction phenomena, emphasizing their dependence on wavevector orientation and their non-Lorentz covariant nature across relativistic and non-relativistic scenarios.

Contribution

It provides a detailed analysis differentiating negative refraction from related phenomena and discusses their behavior in different physical frameworks.

Findings

Negative refraction depends solely on wavevector orientation.

Negative phase velocity, counterposition, and negative energy flux deflection are distinct phenomena.

None of these phenomena are Lorentz covariant.

Abstract

In accordance with Snel's law of refraction, whether a plane wave is refracted in the negative sense or positive sense at a planar boundary between two homogenous mediums is determined solely by the orientation of the real parts of the wavevectors involved. Thus, negative refraction should be distinguished from the associated but independent phenomenons of negative phase velocity, counterposition and negative deflection of energy flux. None of these phenomenons is Lorentz covariant.