On resolving the refractive index and the wave vector

Abstract

The identification of the refractive index and wave vector for general (possibly active) linear, isotropic, homogeneous, and non-spatially dispersive media is discussed. Correct conditions for negative refraction necessarily include the global properties of the permittivity and permeability functions $\epsilon =\epsilon (\omega )$ and $\mu =\mu (\omega )$. On the other hand, a necessary and sufficient condition for left-handedness can be identified at a single frequency ($\reε/|ε|+\reμ/|μ|<0$). At oblique incidence to semi-infinite, active media it is explained that the wave vector generally loses its usual interpretation for real frequencies.

Cited by in corpus (6)

• On the electromagnetic properties of active media
• The refractive index and wave vector in passive or active media
• Resolving the wave-vector and the refractive index from the coefficient of reflectance
• When does the choice of the refractive index of a linear, homogeneous, isotropic, active, dielectric medium matter?
• On the inapplicability of a negative-phase-velocity condition as a negative-refraction condition for active materials
• On the refractive index for a nonmagnetic two-component medium: resolution of a controversy