Sign of the refractive index in lossy metamaterials

One of the criteria for determining the existence of negative index of refraction in artificial electromagnetic structures (metamaterials) is the occurrence of opposite directions of the group and phase velocities. In this work, we study specific examples of metamaterials where we show that the above criterion does not hold when losses are taken into account and dominate the interaction of light with the metamaterial. The structure are three-dimensional superlattices of consisting of plasmonic and polaritonic particles and are studied by a rigorous multiple-scattering theory and effective-medium approximation.     

Microwave permeability of metamaterials based on ferromagnetic composites

In this paper, we focus on metamaterials based on ferromagnetic composite combined with an inductive pattern. CoFeSiB amorphous ferromagnetic glass-coated microwires and thin films are involved in the composite. The inductive pattern is a coiling of Copper wire with a varying number of loops. We derived the microwave permeability of the ferromagnetic material inside the inductive pattern through a Landau–Gilbert model of gyromagnetism. In agreement with experimental results, the engineering of resonance frequency of the sample is achieved through the number of loops of the coiling.     

Experimental investigation of photonic band gap in one-dimensional photonic crystals with metamaterials

Composite right/left-handed transmission lines with lumped element series capacitors and shunt inductors are used to experimentally realize the one-dimensional photonic crystals composed of single-negative metamaterials. The simulated and experimental results show that a special photonic band gap corresponding to zero-effective-phase (zero-_φeff${\phi }_{\mathrm{eff}}$) may appear in the microwave regime. In contrast to the Bragg gap, by changing the length ratio of the two component materials, the width and depth of the zero-_φeff${\phi }_{\mathrm{eff}}$ gap can be conveniently adjusted while keeping the center frequency constant. Furthermore, the zero-_φeff${\phi }_{\mathrm{eff}}$ gap vanishes when both the phase-matching and impedance-matching conditions are satisfied simultaneously. These transmission line structures provide a good way for realizing microwave devices based on the zero-_φeff${\phi }_{\mathrm{eff}}$ gap.     

Photonic crystals as metamaterials

The visionary work of Veselago had inspired intensive research efforts over the last decade, towards the realization of man-made structures with unprecedented electromagnetic (EM) properties. These structures, known as metamaterials, are typically periodic metallic-based resonant structures demonstrating effective constitutive parameters beyond the possibilities of natural material. For example they can exhibit optical magnetism or simultaneously negative effective permeability and permittivity which implies the existence of a negative refractive index. However, also periodic dielectric and polar material, known as photonic crystals, can exhibit EM capabilities beyond natural materials. This paper reviews the conditions and manifestations of metamaterial capabilities of photonic crystal systems.     

Extreme control of light in metamaterials: Complete and loss-free stopping of light

We present an overview of recent advances within the field of slow- and stopped-light in metamaterial and plasmonic waveguides. We start by elucidating the mechanisms by which these configurations can enable complete stopping of light. Decoherence mechanisms may destroy the zero-group-velocity condition for real-frequency/complex-wavevector modes, but we show that metamaterial and nanoplasmonic waveguides also support complex-frequency/real-wavevector modes that uphold the light-stopping condition. A further point of focus is how, by using gain, dissipative losses can be overcome in the slow- and stopped-light regimes. To this end, on the basis of full-wave finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) simulations and analytic transfer-matrix calculations, we show that the incorporation of thin layers made of an active medium, placed adjacently to the core layer of a negative-refractive-index waveguide, can fully remove dissipative losses – in a slow- or stopped-light regime where the effective index of the guided lightwave remains negative.     

Magnetic monopole-like response in metamaterials

In this paper, we explored magnetic monopole-like responses in metamaterials. We designed a sub-wavelength metamolecule that is composed of two dielectric-spaced split-ring resonators. In response to incident waves, the induced magnetic field in the metamolecule resembles that of a two-dimensional magnetic monopole. The magnetic monopole-like response is resulted from electric resonance of the metamolecule, so an electric dipole is always attached. By combining two mirror-symmetric metamolecules with inward and outward radial magnetic fields, magnetic dipole-like responses can be produced just as an electric dipole is formed by separating two opposite-signed electric charges.     

Towards some real applications for negative materials

The near field technologies, negative index materials (NIM), photonic crystals and plasmonics combined with innovation in high dielectric antennas, wireless systems, and photonic circuits open the prospect of novel antennas, integrated circuits, sensors (chemical, biological and individual molecule), medical scanners, displays and imagers, which have the potential to outperform conventional technology and create many commercial opportunities [A.J. Holden, Inside the Wavelength, Electromagnetics in the Near Field, State of the Science Review for DTI Foresight, UK, February 2004, available at: http://www.foresight.gov.uk/]. A selection of these applications is reviewed and the challenges for the technologies set in context.     

Dual bands of negative refractive indexes in the planar left-handed metamaterials

A kind of planar left-handed metamaterial (LHM) with unique configurations is demonstrated, which offers an approach in building dual-band negative-index materials. Simulated and experimental results predict two left-handed transmission bands near 11.1 and 14.6 GHz. Dual bands of negative refractive indexes are verified using the retrieval procedure. Field and current distribution at the dual magnetic resonance are also examined. The effective electromagnetic parameters show that by carefully adjusting dimensions of the unit cell, electric and magnetic resonances can be coexistent at some frequency ranges with both negative permittivity and negative permeability. The idea can help us designing planar negative-index materials with multibands.     

色散磁导率对异向介质中的调制不稳定性的影响

基于Drude模型研究了异向介质的色散磁导率对调制不稳定性的影响. 结果表明，在反常色散情形，赝五阶非线性在异向介质的负折射区中增大了调制频谱的范围及增益值，这与常规正折射介质中出现的现象正好相反；自陡峭效应在异向介质中有可能为负值，但无论正负，也无论在正折射区还是负折射区，它都抑制调制不稳定性的产生；二阶非线性色散效应在正、负折射区中分别促进和抑制调制不稳定性的产生. 在正常色散情形，由于二阶非线性色散效应的作用，使本来在常规正折射介质中不可能出现的调制不稳定性现象也能出现，这一特性为在正常色散区形成孤     

Terahertz transmission properties of four metamaterials

We investigated the power transmission properties of four metamaterials in terahertz regime. The measured results reveal a global maximum transmission peak at 2.52 THz, and some local transmission peaks. In order to find a best metamaterials with relatively high transmission efficiency, we compared measured power transmission performances of four types of metamaterials microstructures, and analyzed their transmission differences.     

Photonic gap vanishing in one-dimensional photonic crystals with single-negative metamaterials

The properties of photonic band gap in one-dimensional photonic crystals composed of single-negative metamaterials are studied theoretically. Our study shows that the photonic gap will vanish at a certain incident angle when both the phase-match and impedance-match conditions are satisfied simultaneously, suggesting that the bandwidth and location of the photonic gap are strongly dependent on the incident angle and polarization. However, the photonic gap will not vanish and may become insensitive to the incident angle when the two match conditions cannot be met. Our study also shows that losses in metamaterials have little effect on the properties of the photonic gap.     

Nonlinear magnetoinductive waves and domain walls in composite metamaterials

We describe novel physics of nonlinear magnetoinductive waves in left-handed composite metamaterials. We derive the coupled equations for describing the propagation of magnetoinductive waves, and show that in the nonlinear regime the magnetic response of a metamaterial may become bistable. We analyze modulational instability of different nonlinear states, and also demonstrate that nonlinear metamaterials may support the propagation of domain walls (kinks) connecting the regions with the positive and negative magnetization.     

采用负折射率材料提高空间望远镜分辨率的理论研究

传统的空间望远镜是根据分辨率衍射极限公式,通过增大系统的通光口径来提高分辨率的,但这样系统的体积和重量相应增大,增加了空间运载的难度。负折射率材料(Negative Index Materials,NIMs)的出现,为高分辨率空间望远镜的发展提供了新的思路。NIMs对含有物体精细结构信息但在真空中随距离指数衰减传播的渐失场有增益放大作用,从而使渐失场能够参与成像,实现光学系统传统分辨率衍射极限的突破。本文介绍了NIMs的研究历史,分析了由负折射产生的负群速度、逆Doppler频移、反常Cerenkov辐射、负折射等各种效应,重点讨论了采用NIMs实现望远系统传统分辨率突破的内涵和意义以及今后研究工作的重点。     

Dispersive characteristics of surface plasmon polaritons on negative refractive index gratings

The dispersive characteristics of surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) supported by a periodically corrugated boundary between vacuum and a negative refractive index, isotropic material were studied theoretically by numerical solution of a dispersion equation. SPP dispersion curves were correlated with the optical response of the corrugated boundary in frequency regions where SPPs can be excited by a normally incident plane wave. Abrupt reflectivity variations, characterized by the presence of a near unity maximum and an almost zero minimum, were found in regions where the boundary without corrugation exhibits low reflectivity and rather featureless reflectivity curves.     

Microwave and THz sensing using slab-pair-based metamaterials

In this work the sensing capability of an artificial magnetic metamaterial based on pairs of metal slabs is demonstrated, both theoretically and experimentally, in the microwave regime. The demonstration is based on transmission measurements and simulations monitoring the shift of the magnetic resonance frequency as one changes a thin dielectric layer placed between the slabs of the pairs. Strong dependence of the magnetic resonance frequency on both the permittivity and the thickness of the dielectric layer under detection was observed. The sensitivity to the dielectrics′ permittivity (ε) is larger for dielectrics of low ε values, which makes the approach suitable for sensing organic materials also in the THz regime. The capability of our approach for THz sensing is also demonstrated through simulations.     

Modulation instability in negative refractive metamaterials with exponential saturable nonlinearity and self-steepening effects

Modulation instability (MI) in negative refractive metamaterials with exponential saturable nonlinearity and the self-steeping effect is investigated by using the standard linear stability analysis and the Drude electromagnetic model. The dispersion relation, instability condition, cut-off frequency, gain spectrum, and their corresponding dimensionless expressions are analytically deduced and then calculated. The results show that, the self-steepening effect will suppress MI by decreasing the cut-off frequency and the maximum gain. And the larger the power density ratio is, more slowly the cut-off frequency and the maximum gain decrease with increase of the self-steepening parameter. Although the sign of the self-steepening parameter does not influence MI but its absolute value must be smaller than a certain value. Depending on different self-steepening parameters, the cut-off frequency and maximum gain may decrease or increase before decrease with increase of the power density ratio. In particular, for large self-steepening parameters, the power density ratio may have a threshold value. When the power density ratio is under this threshold, MI will disappear.     

银纳米颗粒复合超材料的数值和模拟研究

理论分析了单层银纳米颗粒及其复合超材料的电磁特性,并采用MATLAB数值计算和CST模拟对理论进行了验证.结果显示:4.75 nm银颗粒所形成的单层阵列的数值和模拟结果都有Lorentz共振效应出现,模拟结果相对于数值计算有红移现象,且有微弱的磁共振效应.进一步对采用4.75 nm颗粒复合而成的100 nm大颗粒模拟,结果表明:在800~1 000 nm区间共振得到负的实有效介电常量、负的实有效磁导率和负的折射率,说明100 nm复合球形颗粒具有很强的磁共振效应,与理论分析相符.     

Strong tie between cut-wire pair and continuous wire in combined-structure metamaterials

A detail study on the continuity between cut-wire pair and continuous wire in combined-structure metamaterials operating at the microwave frequency regime is reported. By using numerical simulations and microwave experiments, we investigated the effect of the width and position of the continuous wire relative to the cut-wire pair on the electromagnetic response of a combined structure. It was found that these parameters play an important role in determining whether the left-handed (LH) behavior is obtained or not. In addition, we also studied the influence of lattice constant on the LH behavior of combined structure. Our results showed that the LH behavior is strongly dependent on the lattice constant in the E direction. However, it remains unchanged according to the lattice constant in the H direction. A good coincidence between the measurements and the numerical simulations was shown. It is expected that this work will allow us to optimize the appropriate characteristic parameters even without avoiding the trial-and-error fabrications.     

Exploration of amphoteric and negative refraction imaging of acoustic sources via active metamaterials

The present work describes the design of three flat superlens structures for acoustic source imaging and explores an active acoustic metamaterial (AAM) to realise such a design. The first two lenses are constructed via the coordinate transform method (CTM), and their constituent materials are anisotropic. The third lens consists of a material that has both a negative density and a negative bulk modulus. In these lenses, the quality of the images is “clear” and sharp; thus, the diffraction limit of classical lenses is overcome. Finally, a multi-control strategy is developed to achieve the desired parameters and to eliminate coupling effects in the AAM.     

Experimental and numerical study of omega type bianisotropic metamaterials combined with a negative permittivity medium

We report on the transmission properties of the omega (Ω) type metamaterials. Transmission through the periodic Ω-only and Ω-wire metamaterials are studied experimentally and numerically. A resonance band gap is observed for the periodic Ω medium around the resonance frequency of the single Ω unit cell. A transmission band is observed below the resonance band gap, when the periodic Ω structure is embedded in a negative permittivity medium composed of thin metallic wire arrays. We also studied the effect of periodicity on the transmission spectra of Ω type metamaterials.