Analysis of tunneling times in absorptive and dispersive media

Abstract

Tunneling times in absorptive and dispersive media are considered, as are the relations between them. Group delay and dwell time are used as the most appropriate tunneling time characterizations. A general expression that relates these two quantities, valid for all linear media (with both positive and negative index of refraction), is derived, but particular attention is given to negative index metamaterials. The example of a nonmagnetic, lossless medium with dispersive surroundings was chosen to illustrate the derivation of self-interference time. Existence of the Hartman effect and negative group delay in a certain range of frequencies, in metamaterials, is numerically verified. (C) 2008 Optical Society of America