Large and bistable Goos-Hanchen shifts from the Kretschmann configuration with a nonlinear negative-zero-positive index metamaterial

Motivated by the realization of the Dirac point (DP) with a double-cone structure for the optical field in a negative-zero-positive index metamaterial (NZPIM), we perform a theoretical investigation on the reflected light beam from the Kretschmann configuration containing an NZPIM with Kerr-type nonlinearity. Near the DP and the optimal thickness, it is found that the peak values of the Goos-Hanchen (GH) shifts can vary from negative to positive. The peak value and position are strongly dependent on the incident angle, frequency, and the thickness of the metal film. It is also found that the peak values can be greatly enhanced near the optimal thickness and the DP. We further demonstrate that there exist large and bistable shifts, which are more sensitive to variations of the incident angle and the thickness of the metal film. These results may lead to potential applications in integrated optics and optical-based devices, and also suggest analogous optical phenomena of valence electrons in graphene.