Temporal interfaces by instantaneously varying boundary conditions

Temporal metamaterials have been recently exploited as a novel platform for conceiving several electromagnetic and optical devices based on the anomalous scattering response arising at a single change or multiple sudden changes in the material properties. However, they are difficult to implement in realistic scenarios by switching the permittivity of a material in time, and new strategies to achieve time interfaces in a feasible manner must be identified. In this paper, we investigate the possibility to realize a temporal metamaterial without acting on the material properties, but rather on the effective refractive index and wave impedance perceived by the wave during the propagation in an empty guiding structure by varying the boundaries in time. We demonstrate analytically and through numerical experiments that suddenly changing the structural dispersion of a parallel-plate waveguide by varying boundary conditions will induce an effective temporal interface. The proposed concept can be extended to temporally controlled metasurfaces, opening an easier path to the design and realization of novel devices based on time-varying metamaterials at microwave and optical frequencies.

Automated summary

This paper investigates the possibility of realizing temporal metamaterials without changing the material properties, but by varying the boundaries to manipulate the effective refractive index and wave impedance perceived by the wave during propagation. The concept of suddenly changing the structural dispersion of a waveguide through varying boundary conditions is demonstrated to induce an effective temporal interface. This approach can also be extended to temporally controlled metasurfaces, enabling easier design and realization of novel devices based on time-varying metamaterials at microwave and optical frequencies.