Synoptic view of Dyakonov–Tamm waves localized to the planar interface of two chiral sculptured thin films

Abstract

The Dyakonov-Tamm wave combines the features of the Dyakonov wave and the Tamm electronic state. Dyakonov-Tamm waves guided by the planar interface of two dissimilar chiral sculptured thin films (STFs) were systematically examined. The interfaces result from the chiral STFs being dissimilar in (a) orientation about the helical axis, (b) structural handedness, (c) structural period, (d) vapor incidence angle, (e) material, or (f) various combinations thereof. A boundary-value problem for the propagation of Dyakonov-Tamm waves was formulated and numerically solved. Up to three physical solutions were obtained for any specific combination of constitutive properties of the two chiral STFs. Each solution indicates the existence of a Dyakonov-Tamm wave. If more than one solution exists, the corresponding DyakonovTamm waves differ in phase speed and degree of localization to the interface. Fewer solutions were found when the two chiral STFs differ in many attributes. C 2011 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE).

Multiple Rayleigh waves guided by the planar surface of a continuously twisted structurally chiral material

“…This multiplicity of Rayleigh waves contrasts with the single Rayleigh wave that exists for the homogeneous elastic solid obtained by making the CTSCM’s period either infinitely large or very small. Parenthetically, the observed multiplicity of Rayleigh waves guided by the traction-free surface of a periodically non-homogeneous half-space mirrors findings for electromagnetic surface waves wherein periodic non-homogeneity delivers a multiplicity of Tamm waves [ 57 ] and Dyakonov–Tamm waves [ 58 ] at a fixed frequency.…”

Parametric investigation of prism-coupled excitation of Dyakonov–Tamm waves

“…Whereas a Tamm wave can propagate parallel to any direction in the interface plane (without any dependence on the direction of propagation), Dyakonov-wave propagation can occur only in very limited ranges of the direction of propagation [19]-a feature that inhibited the experimental verification of the existence of Dyakonov waves until 4 years ago [24]. The range of the direction of propagation of Dyakonov-Tamm waves in the interface plane is much wider [23,[25][26][27] than that of Dyakonov waves, and can even be the full 360°.…”

Electromagnetic surface waves guided by the interface of a metal and a tightly interlaced matched ambidextrous bilayer

“…Typically, only one ESW can propagate in a given direction in the interface plane at a specified frequency, if both partnering mediums are homogeneous [1][2][3], but there are exceptions [16]. However, if one of both of the partnering mediums are periodically nonhomogeneous in the direction normal to the interface, it is possible to trigger at the same time the propagation of more than one ESW, each with its own propagation characteristics [17][18][19][20][21][22][23]. In some instances it has been observed that two ESWs propagate with complex-valued wavenumbers that are very close to each other giving rise to a sort of a doublet [24,25].…”