Sign choice for the index of refraction for arbitrary complex values of permittivity and permeability: Formal analysis

It is shown that for an isotropic homogenous material region the expression for characteristic impedance Z=μc/n is more general than the usual expression Z=μ/ε. This alternative expression together with the condition Re(Z) ≥ 0 uniquely determines the sign of the index of refraction n=±cμε for all va...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of applied physics 2014-06, Vol.115 (21)
Main Authors: Wilson, Gregory L., Latypov, Damir M.
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary:It is shown that for an isotropic homogenous material region the expression for characteristic impedance Z=μc/n is more general than the usual expression Z=μ/ε. This alternative expression together with the condition Re(Z) ≥ 0 uniquely determines the sign of the index of refraction n=±cμε for all values of ε and μ. Thus, the celebrated Veselago's argument that n 
ISSN:0021-8979
1089-7550
DOI:10.1063/1.4880797