Electromagnetic Wave Propagation in Twist Grain Boundary Phases

Abstract The propagation of electromagnetic waves within Twist Grain Boundary samples are theoretically considered. Fully analytical expressions for light propagating along the superstructure helix axis are given. The optical properties for oblique light are studied numerically. Moreover, an homogeneous model is developed for pitch shorter than the wavelength in order to describe the natural optical activity. The possibility to obtain the material parameters by optical methods is discussed.