Dyakonov Waves Research Articles

Dyakonov waves generation at uniaxial chiral-plasma interface.

Numerical analysis of Dyakonov waves generation has been carried out at uniaxial chiral-plasma planar interface. The extended electromagnetic wave theory is utilized, and an impedance boundary conditions approach is employed to obtain characteristics equation. Effective mode index and attenuation under the different values of collisional frequency, plasma frequency and chirality in the THz frequency range for three cases for uniaxial chiral media are discussed. These results can be used in the field of photonics and integrated optics to fabricate nanophotonic devices in the THz frequency range.

Поверхностные электромагнитные волны Дьяконова на границе раздела анизотропных двуосных кристаллов

A general approach to analysis of Dyakonov surface waves at the interfaces of anisotropic biaxial crystals is proposed, taking into account arbitrary spatial orientation of the media tensors principal axes. This approach is based on the operator representation of macroscopic Maxwell equations corresponding to the quantum-mechanical equations for photon states in an inhomogeneous anisotropic media. Surface wave dispersion law is investigated in the most general case. It is established that the interface eigenmode dispersion is closely related to the dispersion of bulk waves in the partnering media, which is a specific feature of Dyakonov waves. The electromagnetic field spatial distribution is investigated in the direction orthogonal to the boundary plane. The surface wave angular existence domain is determined. It’s dependencies on the rotation angles of the media optical axes are studied as well.

Dyakonov Surface Waves at the Boundary of Anisotropic Biaxial Crystals

A general approach to analysis of Dyakonov surface waves at the interfaces of anisotropic biaxial crystals is proposed, taking into account arbitrary spatial orientation of the media tensors principal axes. This approach is based on the operator representation of macroscopic Maxwell equations corresponding to the quantum-mechanical equations for photon states in an inhomogeneous anisotropic media. Surface wave dispersion law is investigated in the most general case. It is established that the interface eigenmode dispersion is closely related to the dispersion of bulk waves in the partnering media, which is a specific feature of Dyakonov waves. The electromagnetic field spatial distribution is investigated in the direction orthogonal to the boundary plane. The surface wave angular existence domain is determined. It's dependencies on the rotation angles of the media optical axes are studied as well. Keywords: electromagnetic surface waves, interface photon states, anisotropic media, biaxial materials.

Investigation of the existence domain for Dyakonov surface waves in the Sage computer algebra system

Surface electromagnetic waves (Dyakonov waves) propagating along a plane interface between an isotropic substance with a constant dielectric constant and an anisotropic crystal, whose dielectric tensor has a symmetry axis directed along the interface, are considered. It is well known that the question of the existence of such surface waves is reduced to the question of the existence of a solution to a certain system of algebraic equations and inequalities. In the present work, this system is investigated in the Sage computer algebra system. The built-in technique of exceptional ideals in Sage made it possible to describe the solution of a system of algebraic equations parametrically using a single parameter, with all the original quantities expressed in terms of this parameter using radicals. The remaining inequalities were only partially investigated analytically. For a complete study of the solvability of the system of equations and inequalities, a symbolic-numerical algorithm is proposed and implemented in Sage, and the results of computer experiments are presented. Based on these results, conclusions were drawn that require further theoretical substantiation.

Unusual spin and angular momentum of Dyakonov waves at the hyperbolic-material surface.

Three Dyakonov-like polaritons (DLPs) exist at the interface between a hyperbolic material (HM) and a covering medium (CM). Each DLP is a hybridized-polarization surface polariton composed of two evanescent waves on both sides of the interface. We investigated their spin and angular momentum. We analytically found that any DLP carries two spins producing mutually orthogonal spin angular-momentum (SAM) components. The spins and angular-momentum have different features on both sides of the interface, and further differences among the three DLPs are very obvious. For the interface structure formed by hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) and air, the SAM mainly distributes in the air for DLP-I, the SAM is approximately transverse to the propagating direction for DLP-II, and it is surprisingly large in the hBN for DLP-III and can reach several ten times that in the usual situation. There is the spin-k locking for every DLP, but the spin-k locking is different for different DLPs. These properties do not exist for traditional surface polaritons or ordinary evanescent waves. The above unique results can support some potential applications in the fields of nano- and micro-photonics, optoelectronics and mechanics, as well as relevant technologies.

Dyakonov-like surface waves in anisotropic cylindrical waveguides

Dyakonov surface waves are a well-known example of surface electromagnetic waves propagating along a plane interface between isotropic and anisotropic dielectric media. Here, we investigate the spectrum and radiative losses of Dyakonov waves at the curved interface considering both cases of "positive" and "negative" curvature of anisotropic medium. We demonstrate how Dyakonov waves at a plane interface continuously transform to the leaky or guided modes of an anisotropic cylindrical waveguide and simple derive asymptotic equation for radiative losses. All analytical results are confirmed by solving exact dispersion equation numerically. We believe that our work extends the potential practical application of Dyakonov waves in optics and photonics devices.

Conformal transformation of Dyakonov surface waves into bound states of cylindrical metamaterials

We put forward the use of transformation optics to map surface waves that exist as one-dimensional modes supported by anisotropic structures into bound states in two-dimensional geometries. Specifically, we show the conformal mapping of Dyakonov waves existing in infinite planar surfaces separating birefringent media into bound modes supported by a cylindrical structure made of suitable metamaterials. In contrast with the original Dyakonov waves, the resulting fiber-like modes are highly dispersive, may exist as fundamental as well as higher-order states, feature helical wave fronts, and exhibit a lower and upper frequency cutoff. The program we put forward can be applied to all wave phenomena currently known to occur only in planar geometries in different types of anisotropic media.

Electromagnetic surface waves guided by a twist discontinuity in a uniaxial dielectric with optic axis lying in the discontinuity plane

ABSTRACTA method for calculating the eigenwaves in a “semi-infinite” uniaxial dielectric medium (UDM) is proposed. The term “semi-infinite” medium implies the presence of at least one flat boundary of such medium. This method allowed writing out all the components of the total fields in UDM. With the help of that analytical representation of the fields, the problem of the propagation of Dyakonov surface waves guided by the planar interface of two identical UDM with their optic axes lying in the interface plane was investigated to derive an exact analytical expression for the phase speed, when the direction of propagation bisects the angle formed by the two optic axes. On the basis of the solutions found, the energy characteristics were studied, which demonstrated the presence of the flux of average over a period power of the Dyakonov wave along the coordinate axes lying in the plane of UDM boundary.

Surface waves with negative phase velocity supported by temperature-dependent hyperbolic materials

A numerical investigation was undertaken to elucidate the propagation of electromagnetic surface waves guided by the planar interface of two temperature-sensitive materials. One partnering material was chosen to be isotropic and the other to be anisotropic. Both partnering materials were engineered composite materials, based on the temperature-sensitive semiconductor InSb. At low temperatures the anisotropic partnering material is a non-hyperbolic uniaxial material; as the temperature is raised this material becomes a hyperbolic uniaxial material. At low temperatures, a solitary Dyakonov wave propagates along any specific direction in a range of directions parallel to the planar interface. At high temperatures, up to three different surface waves can propagate in certain directions parallel to the planar interface; one of these surface waves propagates with negative phase velocity (NPV). At a fixed temperature, the range of directions for NPV propagation decreases uniformly in extent as the volume fraction of InSb in the isotropic partnering material decreases. At a fixed volume fraction of InSb in the isotropic partnering material, the angular range for NPV propagation varies substantially as the temperature varies.

On electromagnetic surface waves supported by an isotropic chiral material

Electromagnetic surface waves supported by an isotropic chiral material were investigated via the associated canonical boundary-value problem. Specifically, two scenarios were considered: surface waves guided by the planar interface of an isotropic chiral material and (a) an isotropic dielectric material and (b) a uniaxial dielectric (or plasmonic) material. Both plasmonic and non-plasmonic achiral partnering materials were investigated. In scenario (a) surface waves akin to surface-plasmon-polariton (SPP) waves were excited, while in scenario (b) surface waves akin to Dyakonov waves and akin to SPP waves were excited. For numerical studies, an isotropic chiral material capable of simultaneously supporting attenuation and amplification of plane waves, depending upon circular polarization state, was used. The amplitude of the SPP-like waves could be either amplified or attenuated, depending upon the relative permittivity of the isotropic dielectric partnering material for scenario (a), or depending upon the direction of propagation relative to the optic axis of the uniaxial dielectric partnering material for scenario (b).

Dyakonov waves in biaxial anisotropic crystals

We present the general analytical theory for Dyakonov surface waves at the interface of a biaxial anisotropic dielectric with an isotropic medium. We demonstrate that these surface waves can be divided into todo distinct classes, with qualitatively different spatial behavior. We obtain explicit expressions for the Dyakonov waves dispersion and the parameter range for their existence.

Eigen Waves of a Plane Symmetric Anisotropic Waveguide

Precise dispersion equations for a plane symmetric dielectric anisotropic waveguide are obtained, in which the waveguide layer is isotropic, and the framing media are assumed to be anisotropic uniaxial media. The tensors of the dielectric permittivity of the framing media are not assumed to be diagonal, namely, in one of them this tensor is formed by rotating the diagonal tensor by some angle between the optical axis of the anisotropic medium and the direction of propagation of the electromagnetic wave. The tensor of dielectric permittivity of another anisotropic medium is rotated by the same angle, but in the opposite direction, with the optical axes of both framing media lying in a plane parallel to the boundaries of the waveguiding structure. Thus, in framing media, the existence of six-component electromagnetic waves is maintained. In the dispersion properties of such a waveguide, certain features are observed in comparison with the case when the framing media are assumed to be isotropic. It is found that the first symmetric mode of such a waveguide has a finite deceleration with zero thickness of the isotropic layer, which indicates the possibility of the appearance of surface electromagnetic waves (the so-called Dyakonov waves) at the boundaries of this isotropic layer. It is noted that the transition of the antisymmetric mode to the Dyakonov wave occurs with a finite thickness of the waveguiding layer. Dependencies of the deceleration of the elementary (symmetric) mode on the angle of rotation of the optical axis of anisotropic media relative to the direction of propagation of the guided wave of the waveguide structure are given.

Wedge Dyakonov Waves and Dyakonov Plasmons in Topological Insulator Bi2Se3 Probed by Electron Beams.

Bi2Se3 has recently attracted a lot of attention because it has been reported to be a platform for the realization of three-dimensional topological insulators. Due to this exotic characteristic, it supports excitations of a two-dimensional electron gas at the surface and, hence, formation of Dirac-plasmons. In addition, at higher energies above its bandgap, Bi2Se3 is characterized by a naturally hyperbolic electromagnetic response, with an interesting interplay between type-I and type-II hyperbolic behaviors. However, still not all the optical modes of Bi2Se3 have been explored. Here, using mainly electron energy-loss spectroscopy and corresponding theoretical modeling we investigate the full photonic density of states that Bi2Se3 sustains, in the energy range of 0.8 eV-5 eV. We show that at energies below 1 eV, this material can also support wedge Dyakonov waves. Furthermore, at higher energies a huge photonic density of states is excited in structures such as waveguides and resonators made of Bi2Se3 due to the hyperbolic dispersion.

A method for detecting Dyakonov surface waves at an interface of two anisotropic media

The possibility of excitation and detection of Dyakonov surface waves at the interface of two identical homogeneous anisotropic media by means of the effect of polarization conversion in reflection is investigated theoretically. Excitation of the Dyakonov wave is uniquely related to a peculiarity in the reflection coefficient near a certain incidence angle determined only by parameters of the medium. The largest effect of conversion is achieved for the crystal plane exhibiting the largest difference of refractive indices.

Nonreciprocal Dyakonov-wave propagation supported by topological insulators

The propagation of Dyakonov waves guided by the planar interface of a columnar thin film and a topological insulator was investigated by numerically solving the associated canonical boundary-value problem. The topological insulator was modeled as an isotropic dielectric material endowed with a nonzero surface admittance. The propagation directions for the Dyakonov waves, as well as the decay constants and phase speeds of the waves, were significantly modulated by varying the magnitude of the surface admittance. Most significantly, a Dyakonov wave propagating along the direction of a vector u_ has a different phase speed and different decay constants as compared with the Dyakonov wave which propagates along the direction of −u_. This nonreciprocity, with respect to interchanging the direction of Dyakonov-wave propagation, is not exhibited when the topological insulator is replaced by an isotropic dielectric material of the same refractive index but with a nonzero surface conductivity instead of a surface admittance.

Lossless directional guiding of light in dielectric nanosheets using Dyakonov surface waves.

Guiding light at the nanoscale is usually accomplished using surface plasmons. However, plasmons propagating at the surface of a metal sustain propagation losses. A different type of surface excitation is the Dyakonov surface wave. These waves, which exist in lossless media, were predicted more than two decades ago but observed only recently. Dyakonov surface waves exist when at least one of the two media forming the surface exhibits a suitable anisotropy of refractive indexes. Although propagating only within a narrow range of directions, these waves can be used to create modes supported by ultrathin films that confine light efficiently within film thicknesses well below the cutoff thickness required in standard waveguides. Here, we show that 10 nm and 20 nm dielectric nanosheets of aluminium oxide clad between an anisotropic crystal (lithium triborate) and different liquids support Dyakonov-like modes. The direction of light propagation can be controlled by modulating the refractive index of the cladding. The possibility of guiding light in nanometre-thick films with no losses and high directionality makes Dyakonov wave modes attractive for planar photonic devices in schemes similar to those currently employing long-range plasmons.

Prism-coupled excitation of Dyakonov–Tamm waves

The prism-coupled excitation of Dyakonov–Tamm waves guided by the planar interface of a homogeneous, isotropic dielectric material and a periodically nonhomogeneous sculptured nematic thin film (SNTF) was investigated. The excitation of Dyakonov–Tamm waves was identified by correlating a high-absorptance band in the plots of absorptance vs. the incidence angle and the direction of propagation in the interface plane with the solutions of the underlying canonical boundary–value problem. Dyakonov–Tamm waves were found to have a much wider angular existence domain than Dyakonov waves, and broader absorptance peaks than both the Dyakonov and Tamm waves in the plots of absorptance vs. the incidence angle.

Surface electromagnetic waves: A review

AbstractFrom the beginning of the 20th century, researchers have been interested in surface electromagnetic waves guided by planar interfaces of dissimilar mediums. Much initial research on surface‐plasmon waves and surface‐plasmon‐polariton waves stemmed from theoretical curiosity, but the development of new experimental techniques propelled commercial exploitation for optical sensors of chemical and biological species. Additional surface waves called Dyakonov waves, Tamm waves, and Dyakonov–Tamm waves have emerged during the last 25 years. Experimental observation of Dyakonov waves was reported only in 2009, but the rapid development of experimental apparatus during the 1990s suggests that theoretical predictions will soon be evaluated experimentally, leading to further development of optical detection systems and optical circuitry.

Synoptic view of Dyakonov–Tamm waves localized to the planar interface of two chiral sculptured thin films

The Dyakonov-Tamm wave combines the features of the Dyakonov wave and the Tamm electronic state. Dyakonov-Tamm waves guided by the planar interface of two dissimilar chiral sculptured thin films (STFs) were systematically examined. The interfaces result from the chiral STFs being dissimilar in (a) orientation about the helical axis, (b) structural handedness, (c) structural period, (d) vapor incidence angle, (e) material, or (f) various combinations thereof. A boundary-value problem for the propagation of Dyakonov-Tamm waves was formulated and numerically solved. Up to three physical solutions were obtained for any specific combination of constitutive properties of the two chiral STFs. Each solution indicates the existence of a Dyakonov-Tamm wave. If more than one solution exists, the corresponding Dyakonov-Tamm waves differ in phase speed and degree of localization to the interface. Fewer solutions were found when the two chiral STFs differ in many attributes.

Dyakonov-Tamm wave at the planar interface of a chiral sculptured thin film and an isotropic dielectric material

Surface waves, named here as Dyakonov-Tamm waves, can exist at the planar interface of an isotropic dielectric material and a chiral sculptured thin film (STF). Due to the periodic nonhomogeneity of a chiral STF, the range of the refractive index of the isotropic material is smaller but the range of the propagation direction in the interface plane is much larger, in comparison to those for the existence of Dyakonov waves at the planar interface of an isotropic dielectric material and a columnar thin film. Dyakonov-Tamm waves could therefore be detected more easily than Dyakonov waves.