Non-Bragg band gaps and light manipulation of composite structures with metamaterials

A review is presented of various composite structures containing double-negative metamaterials or two types of single-negative metamaterials. In particular, non-Bragg band gaps arising from phase-compensation or tunneling effects and their manipulation of light are stressed. The non-Bragg band gaps that are robust against incident directions, thickness randomness and are easily tuned by changing the structural parameters can not only expand our ability in controlling the flow of light, but also provide new mechanisms for the design of photonic devices.