Magnetized Epsilon-Near-Zero (ENZ) Structures: Hall Opacity, Hall Transparency, and One-Way Photonic Surface States

TL;DR

This paper explores how magnetized epsilon-near-zero materials can exhibit Hall opacity or transparency and support unidirectional surface waves, enabling backscattering immune photonic applications.

Contribution

It introduces the concept of magnetically tunable Hall effects in ENZ media and predicts one-way surface states at specific interfaces, advancing topological photonics.

Findings

Magnetization can switch ENZ media between Hall opacity and transparency.

Surface waves can be predominantly one-way under certain conditions.

Existence of one-way photonic surface states at specific interfaces.

Abstract

We study propagation of transverse-magnetic (TM) electromagnetic waves in the bulk and at the surface of magnetized epsilon-near-zero (ENZ) medium in a Voigt configuration. We reveal that in a certain range of material parameters novel regimes of wave propagation emerge: we show that the transparency of the medium can be altered with the magnetization leading either to magnetically induced Hall opacity or Hall transparency of the ENZ. In our theoretical study, we demonstrate that surface waves at the interface between either a transparent or an opaque Hall medium and a homogeneous medium may, under certain conditions, be predominantly one-way. Moreover, we predict that one-way photonic surface states may exist at the interface of an opaque Hall ENZ and a regular metal, giving rise to a possibility for backscattering immune wave propagation and isolation.