Hybrid metal-dielectric ring resonators for homogenizable optical metamaterials with strong magnetic response at short wavelengths down to the ultraviolet range

Abstract

We derive an analytical LC model from Maxwell's equations for the magnetic resonance of subwavelength ring resonators. Using the LC model, we revisit the scaling of split-ring resonators. Inspired by the LC model, we propose a hybrid metal-dielectric ring resonator mainly composed of high index dielectric material (e.g., TiO₂) with some gaps filled with metal (e.g., Ag). The saturation frequency of magnetic response for the hybrid metal-dielectric ring resonator is much higher (up to the ultraviolet range) than that for split-ring resonators, and can be controlled by the metal fraction in the ring. The hybrid metal-dielectric ring resonator can also overcome the homogenization problem of all-dielectric magnetic resonators, and therefore can form homogenizable magnetic metamaterials at short wavelengths down to the ultraviolet range.