Interference effect on Goos–Hänchen shifts of anisotropic medium interface

Abstract

Abstract We present a comprehensive analysis of the anomalous Goos–Hänchen (GH) displacement that occurs during the reflection of light beams at an interface between air and an anisotropic medium. This analysis also applies to the Imbert–Fedorov effect. Our study suggests that the anomalous GH displacement is primarily caused by polarization-dependent abnormal interference effects between the direct and cross-reflected light fields. Using the interface between air and a type II Weyl semimetal as an example, we provide a clear physical explanation for the relationship between spin-dependent abnormal interference effects and anomalous GH displacement. We demonstrate that spin-dependent constructive interference leads to a reduction in the GH displacement of the total reflected light field, while spin-dependent destructive interference results in an increase in the GH displacement of the total reflected light field.