Electromagnetic wave propagation in time-dependent media with antisymmetric magnetoelectric coupling

• Time-dependent permittivity combined with antisymmetric magnetoelectric coupling will yield a novel linear birefringence.
• Distinct dynamical behaviors of these two birefringent modes are analyzed.
• As a new nonlinear optical effect, a scheme utilizing optical Kerr effect in moving media is proposed.

This paper deals with electromagnetic wave propagation in time-dependent media with an antisymmetric magnetoelectric coupling and an isotropic time-dependent permittivity. We identify a new mechanism of linear birefringence, originated from the combined action of the time-dependent permittivity and the antisymmetric magnetoelectric coupling. Permittivity with linear and exponential temporal variations exemplifies the creation and control of these two distinct types of linear birefringent modes. As a novel nonlinear optical effect, a scheme utilizing optical Kerr effect in moving media is proposed for the realization of the predicted birefringence.