DOI 10.1007/s00339-009-5242-y A simple design method of negative refractive index metamaterials

Abstract We propose a very simple design method of neg-ative refractive index (NRI) materials that can overcome some drawbacks of conventional resonant-type NRI mate-rials. The proposed NRI materials consist of single or dou-ble metallic patterns printed on a dielectric substrate. Our metamaterials (MTMs) show two properties that are differ-ent from other types of MTMs in obtaining effective nega-tive values of permittivity () and permeability (μ) simulta-neously; the geometrical outlines of the metallic patterns are not confined within any specific shape, and the metallic pat-terns are printed on only one side of the dielectric substrate. Therefore, they are very easy to design and fabricate using common printed circuit board (PCB) technology according to the appropriate application. Excellent agreement between the experiment and prediction data ensures the validity of our design approach. PACS 07.57.-c · 41.20.Jb · 77.22.Ch · 81.05.Zx · 84.40.-x