Slow electromagnetic propagation with low group velocity dispersion in an all-metamaterial-based waveguide

The authors found that zero group velocity exists in a two-dimensional planar waveguide consisting of a left-handed metamaterial core and two identical claddings with negative permittivity. The mechanism is realized in a waveguide guiding a vortex mode, which results in the cancellation of the power flows between the core and the claddings. Moreover, by varying the waveguide thickness, the authors can manipulate the pulse velocity in the slow-light regime while simultaneously minimizing the pulse distortion. In addition, issues associated with energy loss are discussed.