Mapping of electromagnetic negative-phase-velocity propagation in the ergosphere of a rotating black hole

Tom G. Mackay, Akhlesh Lakhtakia, Sandi Setiawan

Published 2005-01-24, updated 2005-08-23Version 2

We report on the occurrence of negative-phase-velocity (NPV) planewave propagation in the ergosphere of a rotating black hole. By implementing the Kerr metric, it is demonstrated that regions of NPV propagation are concentrated at the equator of the ergosphere, while NPV propagation is less common towards the polar regions. Increasing the angular velocity of the black hole exaggerates the NPV concentration at the equator. NPV propagation is not observed outside the stationary limit surface.