Polarization Plane Rotation of Electromagnetic Waves by the Artificial Periodic Structure with One-Turn Helical Elements

The rotation of polarization plane of electromagnetic waves by the metallic helices is experimentally investigated. The object of investigation is electromagnetic waves scattered by the copper wire one-turn helices. Flat periodic structure consists of 1-turn helices placed on the radio transparent material that is manufactured. The helices are excited by a linear electromagnetic wave. The experimental method is based on the registration of polarization plane rotation of wave reflected by a two-dimensional (2D) lattice. The optimal pitch angle of the helix which is necessary for maximal rotation of polarization plane of waves was calculated previously. The optimal parameters of the helix were taken into account when the 2D lattice was manufactured. As a result even the flat lattice was enough for observation of considerable rotation of the polarization plane of transmitted and reflected waves. For transmitted wave, the resonance behavior of rotation of the polarization plane with sign change of angle of rotation as a function of frequency is observed.

Keywords:

• polarization
• plane rotation
• electromagnetic waves
• periodic structure
• helix
• chirality

Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to Professors Sergei Tretyakov of Helsinki University of Technology, Finland and Constantin Simovski of St. Petersburg Institute of Fine Mechanics and Optics, Russia for many useful remarks and for many discussions on this topic. The authors are grateful also to Vladimir Kondratenko (Gomel State University, Belarus) for many useful suggestions during the experiment.