Wave nonreciprocity in inhomogeneous gyrotropic media and multilayer systems: I. Inhomogeneous gyrotropic media

Abstract

The propagation of electromagnetic waves in naturally (or structurally) gyrotropic inhomogeneous media is considered. A new mechanism of wave nonreciprocity is found, which is caused by the simultaneous presence of a gradient of one of the parameters of a medium and natural (or structural) gyrotropy. The problem of light transmission through a layer of a naturally gyrotropic inhomogeneous medium of finite thickness is solved by the method of addition of layers. Specific features of this nonreciprocity are considered. It is shown that such a system can operate as a one-sided reflector at certain angles of incidence of light. The mechanisms of enhancement of the nonreciprocity effects are investigated. It is shown that multiple reflections in a layer of finite thickness and diffraction of light by periodic inhomogeneities of a medium increase the nonreciprocity effects by several (from 2 to 5) orders of magnitude. This phenomenon, in turn, opens new fields of application of the nonreciprocity effects. Another interesting manifestation of wave nonreciprocity is revealed, which consists in asymmetry of the curve R(ϑ):R(ϑ)≠R(−ϑ) (R is the reflectance and ϑ is the angle of incidence).