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arXiv · 2506.13294

Emergence of an Epsilon-Near-Zero Medium from Microscopic Atomic Principles

L. Ruks·J. Ruostekoski
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Abstract

We demonstrate that an effective near-zero refractive index can emerge from collective light scattering in a discrete atomic lattice, using essentially exact microscopic simulations. In a 25-layer array, cooperative response leads to over a thirtyfold increase in the effective optical wavelength within the medium, almost eliminating optical phase accumulation, with potential applications in spectroscopy and optical manipulation of quantum emitters. Crucially, the near-zero refractive index arises from first-principles microscopic theory, rather than being imposed through continuous phenomenological effective-medium model - providing conceptually important insight into the emergence of macroscopic electromagnetism from atomic-scale interactions.

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BibTeXRIS

L. Ruks, J. Ruostekoski. 2025-06-16. Emergence of an Epsilon-Near-Zero Medium from Microscopic Atomic Principles. https://doi.org/10.1103/qmx7-fvnk

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