Optical properties of superlattices in the long-wavelength approximation

Specific symmetry features of dielectric and gyrotropic properties of superlattices comprised of arbitrary crystalline layers are considered. It is shown that by changing the orientation of crystallographic axes of the high-symmetry components of the superlattice with respect to their interfaces, one can obtain structures with induced uniaxial or biaxial anisotropy. Expressions are derived that determine the orientation of optical axes in these structures. Propagation of light beams along directions of the induced binormals is analyzed. The feasibility of and conditions for lensless focusing of an optical beam in superlattices comprised of high-symmetry layers are established.