Enhanced nonlocal effects in metamaterials with moderate-index inclusions
arXiv:1701.06510 · doi:10.1103/PhysRevB.96.081113
Abstract
We investigate a class of multilayered metamaterials characterized by moderate-index inclusions and low average permittivity. Via first-principle calculations, we show that in such scenario first- and second-order spatial dispersion effects may exhibit a dramatic and non-resonant enhancement, and may become comparable to the local response. Their interplay gives access to a wealth of dispersion regimes encompassing additional extraordinary waves and topological phase transitions. In particular, we identify a novel configuration featuring bound and disconnected isofrequency contours. Since they do not rely on high-index inclusions, our proposed metamaterials may constitute an attractive and technologically viable platform for engineering nonlocal effects in the optical range.
The paper substantially advances the field of metamaterials since it suggests a feasible route to achieve a giant optical nonlocality without resorting to huge microscopic permittivities (generally lacking in the visible). The proposed structure triggers the competion between chirality and second-order nonlocality which is unprecedented due to their intrinsic differences
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