Forward and backward waves in chiral metamaterials

In this presentation, we study basic electromagnetic properties of chiral metamaterials, which can have simultaneously negative permittivity and permeability. The reflectivity of a slab filled with a chiral metamaterial, with possibly negative or null constitutive parameters, is analysed and numerical results presented. We consider a monochromatic plane wave propagating in a homogeneous, isotropic medium which illuminates an infinite slab of chiral material. Phenomenon such as electromagnetic propagation in chiral nihility are also discussed.