On electromagnetic waves in chiral media

Abstract

We analyze the propagation of electromagnetic waves through chiral media, i.e., through composite media consisting of macroscopic chiral objects randomly embedded in a dielectric. The peculiar effects that such media have on the polarization properties of the waves are placed in evidence. To demonstrate the physical basis of these effects, a specific example, chosen for its analytical simplicity, is worked out from first principles. © 1979 Springer-Verlag.