Energy backflow in unidirectional spatiotemporally localized wavepackets

Abstract

Backflow, or retro-propagation, is a counterintuitive phenomenon where for a forward-propagating wave the energy or probability density locally propagates backward. In this study the energy backflow has been examined in connection with relatively simple causal unidirectional finite-energy solutions of the wave equation which are derived from a factorization of the so-called basic splash mode. Specific results are given for the energy backflow arising in known azimuthally symmetric unidirectional wavepackets, as well as in novel azimuthally asymmetric extensions. Using the Bateman-Whittaker technique, a novel finite-energy unidirectional null localized wave has been constructed that is devoid of energy backflow and has some of the topological properties of the basic Hopfion.