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Quick Introduction to NIM
Summary of our PRL paper.
Wave refraction in Negative Index Media (NIM, same as LHM) is always positive and very inhomogeneous.

Physical Review Letters, Vol. 88, No. 18, 187401-1, 6 May 2002

Prashant M. Valanju, Rodger M. Walser, and Alaka P. Valanju.

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  1. Our PRL paper proves that causality and finite signal speed disallow negative refraction of ANY physically realizable wave by ANY physically realizable passive material (even media with negative phase index).
  2. Our proof is based on simple, basic physics - not on any models or computer simulations. Details of the material are irrelevant. Simulations shown here are only to illustrate our points.
  3. All LHM researchers so far used strictly monochromatic waves. We show that this approximation always fails badly in NIM which sends phase and signal (energy) in very different directions (makes inhomogeneous waves).
  4. LHM "ray diagrams" drawn before us SUGGESTED forward light travel by showing wrong or no direction arrows in LHM. These phase rays do not depict actual light energy propagation.
  5. "Left-handed material (LHM)" is a misnomer because the material itself has no handedness - unlike chiral media, LHM is invariant under mirror reflection. Hence we prefer to call them NIM: Negative (phase) Index Media.
  6. Our paper establishes the correct theoretical basis to use in the fascinating Looking Glass World of NIMs.
Read about us in Physical Review Focus May 4, 2002 (in Debate over Left-Handed Media Heats Up).
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For contact and comments, email to pvalanju@mail.utexas.edu.
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