What is negative refraction?

We review various published definitions associated with the phenomenon of negative phase velocity propagation of electromagnetic waves in meta-media, as observed through negative refraction. For the principal definition, based on the Poynting vector and the wave vector having negative scalar product, we summarise the various material constraints that have been derived. The distinction between criteria based on the Poynting vector and the group velocity are considered, both in respect of causality, and in the context of moving media. Instances where a fully covariant definition is necessary are also identified, and compared with other results from the extant literature. Satisfaction of the NPV propagation criterion is also considered for surface plasmons.

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