Controlling the transverse magneto-optical Kerr effect with near-zero refractive index bi-gyrotropic metamaterials

Abstract By means of rigorous electromagnetic calculations we examine the transverse magneto-optical Kerr effect (TMOKE) in bi-gyrotropic metamaterials with near-zero refractive index. We predict the occurrence of extraordinary TMOKE values for quasi-normal incidence of light. Furthermore, the extraordinary TMOKE sign can be switched and controlled by the incident polarization. Our study provides a simple and transparent analysis of the mechanisms that contribute in this effect.