Topological transition in a nanowire medium and its radiative implication

TL;DR

This paper investigates the topological transition in a nanowire-based metamaterial, demonstrating how the change from elliptic to hyperbolic dispersion significantly enhances radiative properties despite optical losses.

Contribution

It introduces the concept of topological transition in nanowire metamaterials and analyzes its impact on radiative emission, highlighting a novel physical phenomenon.

Findings

Isofrequency surface changes at the topological transition

Enhanced Purcell factor despite optical losses

Identification of hyperbolic regime effects

Abstract

We reveal and study the topological transition in a metamaterial formed by parallel nanowires of polaritonic material. When the dispersion transits from the elliptic (epsilon-positive) to hyperbolic (epsilon-indefinite) regime, a very specific isofrequency surface arises which implies an extraordinary Purcell factor in spite of noticeable optical losses.