Theory of topological insulator waveguides: polarization control and the enhancement of the magneto-electric effect

Topological insulators subject to a time-reversal-symmetry-breaking perturbation are predicted to display a magneto-electric effect that causes the electric and magnetic induction fields to mix at the material’s surface. This effect induces polarization rotations of between ≈1–10 mrad per interface...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Scientific reports 2017-02, Vol.7 (1), p.43115-43115, Article 43115
Main Author: Crosse, J. A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
639/766/1130/2799
639/766/119/2792
Electric fields
Electromagnetic radiation
Geometry
Humanities and Social Sciences
Magnetic fields
multidisciplinary
Polarization
Radiation
Science
Symmetry
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Summary:Topological insulators subject to a time-reversal-symmetry-breaking perturbation are predicted to display a magneto-electric effect that causes the electric and magnetic induction fields to mix at the material’s surface. This effect induces polarization rotations of between ≈1–10 mrad per interface in an incident plane-polarized electromagnetic wave normal to a multilayered structure. Here we show, theoretically and numerically, that by using a waveguide geometry with a topological insulator guide layer and magneto-dielectric cladding it is possible to achieve rotations of ≈100 mrad and generate an elliptical polarization with only a three-layered structure. This geometry is beneficial, not only as a way to enhance the magneto-electric effect, rendering it easier to observe, but also as a method for controlling the polarization of electromagnetic radiation.
ISSN:2045-2322
2045-2322
DOI:10.1038/srep43115