Interface mode between gyroelectric and hyperbolic media

Abstract

We report the prediction of a type of electromagnetic surface wave that propagates at the interface between a gyroelectric material and a hyperbolic medium. By solving Maxwell’s equations, the existence conditions of this surface mode are discussed as determined by the medium parameters, working frequency, and direction of the principal axes of the hyperbolic medium. As one would expect, gyrotropy gives non-reciprocal features to these waves, such as the asymmetry between forward and backward propagations. We show that the field distribution of the new wave resembles the Zenneck wave, albeit in the present case, material losses are not required. Finally, we analyze a realistic configuration that supports the surface modes here predicted and allows for their excitation.