Print Email Facebook Twitter Electromagnetic Helicity in Complex Media Title Electromagnetic Helicity in Complex Media Author Alpeggiani, F. (TU Delft QN/Kuipers Lab; Kavli institute of nanoscience Delft) Bliokh, K. Y. (Australian National University; RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science (CEMS)) Nori, F. (RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science (CEMS); University of Michigan) Kuipers, L. (TU Delft QN/Quantum Nanoscience; Kavli institute of nanoscience Delft) Department QN/Quantum Nanoscience Date 2018 Abstract Optical helicity density is usually discussed for monochromatic electromagnetic fields in free space. It plays an important role in the interaction with chiral molecules or nanoparticles. Here we introduce the optical helicity density in a dispersive isotropic medium. Our definition is consistent with biorthogonal Maxwell electromagnetism in optical media and the Brillouin energy density as well as with the recently introduced canonical momentum and spin of light in dispersive media. We consider a number of examples, including electromagnetic waves in dielectrics, negative-index materials, and metals, as well as interactions of light in a medium with chiral and magnetoelectric molecules. Subject ElectromagnetismNegative RefractionPhotonics To reference this document use: http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:5cff8f71-3cb9-4ed1-864f-410749575ef7 DOI https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.120.243605 ISSN 0031-9007 Source Physical Review Letters, 120 (24) Part of collection Institutional Repository Document type journal article Rights © 2018 F. Alpeggiani, K. Y. Bliokh, F. Nori, L. Kuipers Files PDF PhysRevLett.120.243605.pdf 675.35 KB Close viewer /islandora/object/uuid:5cff8f71-3cb9-4ed1-864f-410749575ef7/datastream/OBJ/view