Primordial Metamaterials

TL;DR

This paper introduces a new regime of electromagnetic response called primordial nonlocality, achieved by structuring materials at the scale of their inherent nonlocality, enabling novel control over light-matter interactions.

Contribution

It demonstrates both theoretically and experimentally a new nonlocal electromagnetic response regime arising from material structuring at the nonlocality scale.

Findings

Revealed primordial nonlocal response in structured materials.

Achieved strong nonlocality detectable at room temperature.

Enabled new control over light-matter interactions.

Abstract

The electromagnetic response of materials serves as the foundation for a broad range of vital applications, including but not limited to imaging, sensing, as well as classical and quantum communications. Here we demonstrate, theoretically and experimentally, a fundamentally new regime of electromagnetic material response originating from inherent material nonlocality, leading to effective ``spooky action at a distance''. We show that by structuring materials on the scale of their inherent nonlocality, it becomes possible to reveal the ``primordial'' nonlocal response of the components and design materials with strong overall nonlocality, easily detectable at room temperatures and in realistic (lossy) materials. Designer primordial nonlocality offers a new dimension in controlling light-matter interactions.