High-phase-speed Dyakonov-Tamm surface waves

Abstract

Two numerical studies, one based on a canonical boundary-value problem and the other based on a reflection-transmission problem, revealed that the propagation of high-phase-speed Dyakonov-Tamm (HPSDT) surface waves may be supported by the planar interface of a chiral sculptured thin film and a dissipative isotropic dielectric material. Furthermore, many distinct HPSDT surface waves may propagate in a specific direction, each with a phase speed exceeding the phase speed of plane waves that can propagate in the isotropic partnering material. Indeed, for the particular numerical example considered, the phase speed of an HPSDT surface wave could exceed the phase speed in bulk isotropic dielectric material by a factor of as much as 10.