Optical Isolators on Surface Electromagnetic Waves in PT-Symmetric Gyrotropic Structures. I: Special Case

Abstract

It is shown that a twinned PT-symmetric gyrotropic structure, composed of semi-infinite media with oppositely directed gyration vectors, lying in the interface plane, exhibits valve properties for surface electromagnetic waves. More specifically, a surface wave can be excited in one direction lying in the interface plane, which is perpendicular to the gyration vectors, and cannot be excited in the opposite direction. This surface electromagnetic wave is linearly polarized, and its characteristic penetration depth is inversely proportional to the small gyration parameter.