Exact modes, hybridization and polarization rotation of electromagnetic fields propagating in topological insulating slab

Abstract

We study electromagnetic waves in slab waveguides with a topological insulator core characterized by a topological magnetoelectric parameter (ME). TIs are electrically insulating in the bulk with robust conducting states at their boundaries. Their electromagnetic response is described by an axion-like $\Theta$ term that modifies Maxwell's electrodynamics, leading to rich and unconventional phenomena, as the topological ME effect. All supported modes are exact hybrid modes with nonvanishing longitudinal field components. This hybridization is a consequence of the boundary conditions produced by the $\Theta$ term and is absent in topologically trivial, reciprocal and non-chiral slab waveguides. Modifications to the propagation condition and modes are shown for the asymmetric slab. The detailed solution of the exact modes, coupling of modes and the dispersion relations is made for the symmetric slab. By solving the full $\Theta$-electrodynamics nonperturbatively, we derive the modal dispersion relations and explore polarization rotation and power transfer between modes. Our approach reveals qualitative and quantitative deviations from standard coupled-mode theory and captures new signatures of the topological ME response. Due to the smallness of the $\Theta$-effects, we perform a perturbative analysis of mode propagation, based on writing a general solution as a superposition of exact modes of $\Theta$-ED but expanding to first non-vanishing order. Also, we apply coupled-mode theory, that is predicated on building solutions as superpositions of modes of ordinary electrodynamics that fail to satisfy the boundary conditions imposed by the $\Theta$-term but compensate at the expense of modifying the field profiles. These findings provide a comprehensive framework for light control in topological photonics and potential routes to experimentally probe the ME effect in guided settings.

38 pages, 16 figures, 8 tables

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