Realization of self-guided unidirectional waveguides by a chain of gyromagnetic rods.

To achieve a unidirectional transmission waveguide with miniature dimensions and flexible geometry, we propose a self-guided unidirectional waveguide composed of a chain of gyromagnetic rods. Two configurations of the waveguides were demonstrated. One is of a zigzag chain form, the other is a straight-line chain. These two types of waveguides have very wide one-way edge mode bandwidths. The simulated and experimental results illustrate their extraordinary wideband one-way transmission characteristics. They can also be expected to function as flexible platforms for practical applications because of their thin transverse dimensions and robustness to bending.