Giant gyrotropy due to electromagnetic coupling

We report the first experimental evidence that electromagnetic coupling between physically separated planar metal patterns located in parallel planes provides for exceptionally strong polarization rotatory power if one pattern is twisted in respect to the other, creating a 3D chiral object. In terms of optical rotary power per sample of thickness equal to one wavelength, the bi-layered structure rotates five orders of magnitude stronger than a gyrotropic crystal of quartz in the visible spectrum. We also saw a signature of negative refraction for circularly polarized waves propagating through the chiral slab.