Switching the Electric and Magnetic Responses in a Metamaterial

ORAL

Abstract

The electric and magnetic responses of a system are usually characterized by permittivity and permeability, which depend not only on the intrinsic structure of the material, but also on the polarization of incident light. Yet studies so far concentrate most on finding new geometries to achieve desired electric and magnetic responses, and very few reserches have been done on the role of external excitation fields. We demonstrate in this presentation that in an assembly of stacked metallic U-shaped resonators, pure magnetic and electric responses are realized respectively, and the magnetic and electric responses can be switched at the same frequency by changing the polarization of incident light for 90 degrees. This unique feature originates from the topological symmetry of the structure. We suggest that this property opens a new gateway to construct metamaterial with tunable permittivity and permeability.

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Authors

  • Mu Wang

    National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures and Department of Physics, Nanjing University, National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures, and Department of Physics, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China, National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China, Natl. Lab. Solid State Microstructures, Nanjing UNiversity, Nanjing 210093, China, National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures and Department of Physics, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China

  • Xiang Xiong

    Nanjing University

  • Wei-Hua Sun

    Nanjing University

  • Yong-Jun Bao

    Department of Mechanical Engineering, Northwestern University, Northwesten University

  • Ru-Wen Peng

    National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures and Department of Physics, Nanjing University, National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China, Nanjing University

  • Cheng Sun

    Department of Mechanical Engineering, Northwestern University, Northwesten University