Large spatial and angular spin splitting in a thin anisotropic ε-near-zero metamaterial

Area of Science:

• Optics and Photonics
• Metamaterials Science

Background:

• Anisotropic epsilon-near-zero (ENZ) metamaterials offer unique optical properties.
• Controlling light polarization and beam characteristics is crucial in optics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To theoretically investigate the spin splitting of a linearly polarized Gaussian beam.
• To analyze both spatial and angular spin splitting phenomena.
• To determine conditions for maximizing spin splitting.

Main Methods:

• Theoretical analysis of light propagation through anisotropic ENZ metamaterials.
• Gaussian beam propagation theory.
• Mathematical modeling of spin-dependent optical effects.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated theoretical spatial and angular spin splitting of a Gaussian beam.
• Identified beam waist and divergence angle as upper limits for splitting.
• Showed that spin splitting depends on both spatial and angular components.
• Achieved maximized spin splitting nearly equal to the beam spot size w(z).

Conclusions:

• Anisotropic ENZ metamaterials can induce significant spin splitting in Gaussian beams.
• Proper combination of spatial and angular splitting enhances the effect.
• The findings offer potential for advanced optical manipulation and beam control.