A solid-solution approach for high frequency 3-dimensional isotropic negative-refractive-index metamaterials based on microwave ceramics

Abstract

Negative refraction has yielded valuable insights and solutions in electromagnetics. However, progress in this field has been hindered primarily by implementation challenges, including the limited availability of raw materials and assembly difficulties, particularly at high frequencies. In this paper, a novel flexible self-assembly method was proposed, through which a controllable solid solution of close-packed structures can be attained. By integrating the flexible self-assembly method with an all-dielectric left-handed material structure, a negative-refractive-index metamaterial (NRIM) model was conceived. Magnetism is not a prerequisite under this scheme; therefore, a demonstration based on a microwave dielectric ceramic was proposed, wherein two subdivisions of close-packed structures were studied. Analysis of the field distribution and electromagnetic eigenmodes using finite element analysis revealed a negative refraction band at around 20 GHz, with a relative bandwidth of 4.2%. The analysis of dispersion behavior verified spatial isotropism in the NRIM. In summary, the designed passive NRIM only requires moderate dielectrics and is isotropic in three dimensions, thus bearing a high resemblance to natural mediums.