Operator scattering theory for multilayer cylinders comprising gyrotropic materials and its application to Weyl semimetals

Abstract

Weyl semimetals are prospective materials to tailor light-matter interaction due to their gyrotropic properties caused by a couple of chiral Weyl points. Here, we study electromagnetic scattering characteristics from infinitely long multilayer cylindrical particles containing Weyl semimetal layers. We develop a modification of operator scattering theory that uses evolution operators to describe a set of layers. We reveal asymmetry in differential scattering cross sections stemming from the axion term of Weyl semimetal permittivity tensor, trace the radiation pattern change for multilayer particles, analyze the interference of lower multipoles with perspective of generalizing the Kerker effect, and carry out multipolar decomposition of the scattered radiation. Both the scattering theory and the numerical results can be useful for device engineering in nanophotonics.