Trirefringence in nonlinear metamaterials

TL;DR

This paper investigates how electromagnetic waves behave in specific nonlinear metamaterials, revealing that they can split into three distinct refracted waves due to unique material properties.

Contribution

It introduces the concept of trirefringence in nonlinear uniaxial metamaterials with negative permittivity components, expanding understanding of wave propagation in such media.

Findings

Light experiences triple refraction in these metamaterials.

Two extraordinary waves propagate alongside the ordinary wave.

The study highlights the role of nonlinear permittivity tensors in wave behavior.

Abstract

We study the propagation of electromagnetic waves in the limit of geometrical optics for a class of nearly transparent nonlinear uniaxial metamaterials for which their permittivity tensors present a negative principal component. Their permeability are assumed positive and dependent on the electric field. We show that light waves experience triple refraction -- trirefringence. Additionally to the ordinary wave, two extraordinary waves propagate in such media.