Light wheel buildup using a backward surface mode

TL;DR

This paper investigates a light wheel phenomenon where guided modes in a dielectric slab couple with backward surface waves at a dielectric-left-handed medium interface, providing insights through complex analysis and coupled-mode theory.

Contribution

It introduces a detailed analysis of light wheel formation using complex plane and coupled-mode formalism, revealing the underlying physics of confinement and dark zones.

Findings

Identification of lateral confinement mechanisms

Analysis of dark zone presence

Insight into mode coupling physics

Abstract

When a guided mode is excited in a dielectric slab coupled to a backward surface wave at the interface between a dielectric and a left-handed medium, light is confined in the structure : this is a light wheel. Complex plane analysis of the dispersion relation and coupled-mode formalism give a deep insight into the physics of this phenomenon (lateral confinement and the presence of a dark zone).