Dyakonov-Tamm waves guided by the interface between two structurally chiral materials that differ only in handedness

Abstract

The boundary-value problem of the propagation of Dyakonov-Tamm waves guided by the planar interface between two structurally chiral materials that are identical except for structural handedness was formulated and numerically solved. Detailed analysis showed that either two or three different Dyakonov-Tamm waves can propagate. These waves have different phase speeds and degrees of localization to the interface with a sudden handedness change. The most localized Dyakonov-Tamm waves are essentially confined to within a small number of structural periods of the interface on either side.