Slow and frozen waves in a planar air waveguide with anisotropic metamaterial cladding

We have studied the wave guiding properties of a planar air waveguide with anisotropic metamaterial cladding. Through complete analysis of the guiding modes for different cladding metamaterials, we demonstrate that slow and even frozen electro-magnetic wave can be supported by such an air waveguide. We have also proposed practical realization of the metamaterial by multilayer structure consisting of silver and silicon dioxide thin films, and constructed such air waveguide. We show that the slow and frozen wave can still be supported in this practical structure with consideration of the material dispersion.