Physical realization of ${\cal{PT}}$-symmetric potential scattering in a planar slab waveguide

Abstract

A physical realization of scattering by ${\cal{PT}}$-symmetric potentials is provided: we show that the Maxwell equations for an electromagnetic wave travelling along a planar slab waveguide filled with gain and absorbing media in contiguous regions, can be approximated in a parameter range by a Schr\"odinger equation with a ${\cal{PT}}$-symmetric scattering potential.