Space-time evolution of Gaussian wave packets through superlattices containing left-handed layers

Abstract

We study the space-time evolution of Gaussian electromagnetic wave packets moving through (L/R)n superlattices, containing alternating layers of left and right-handed materials. We show that the time spent by the wave packet moving through arbitrary (L/R)n superlattices are well described by the phase time. We show that in the particular case where the thicknesses dL,R and indices nl,r of the layers satisfy the condition dL|nL| = dRnR, the usual band structure becomes a sequence of isolated and equidistant peaks with negative phase times.