Supersymmetry, half-bound states, and grazing incidence reflection

TL;DR

This paper explores dielectric profiles that support optical analogues of half-bound states, enabling zero reflection at grazing incidence, using supersymmetric quantum mechanics and Helmholtz equation inversion.

Contribution

It introduces novel dielectric profiles supporting half-bound states, achieved through supersymmetric quantum mechanics and Helmholtz equation inversion methods.

Findings

Identification of dielectric profiles with zero reflection at grazing incidence

Application of supersymmetric quantum mechanics to optical wave profiles

Use of Helmholtz equation inversion for profile design

Abstract

Electromagnetic waves at grazing incidence onto a planar medium are analogous to zero energy quantum particles incident onto a potential well. In this limit waves are typically completely reflected. Here we explore dielectric profiles supporting optical analogues of `half-bound states', allowing for zero reflection at grazing incidence. To obtain these profiles we use two different theoretical approaches: supersymmetric quantum mechanics, and direct inversion of the Helmholtz equation.