Hotspots from nonreciprocal surface waves

We present theoretical and numerical results for a new method of obtaining hotspots that relies on nonreciprocal one-way propagation as opposed to the well-known case of resonance-based hotspots. The nonreciprocal propagation is achieved by the breaking of time-reversal symmetry through the use of magnetically biased medium. The location and existence of the hotspots depends on the magnetic bias that results in the breaking of the time-reversal symmetry. This results in the intriguing possibility of switching and spatial control of the hotspots through the magnetic bias. (C) 2014 Optical Society of America