Negative Permittivity Materials Research Articles

Quantum integrable systems and concentration of plasmon resonance

We are concerned with the quantitative mathematical understanding of surface plasmon resonance (SPR) when d \geq 3 . SPR is the resonant oscillation of conducting electrons at the interface between negative and positive permittivity materials and forms the basis of many cutting-edge applications of metamaterials. It has recently been found that the SPR concentrates due to a curvature effect. In this paper, we derive sharper and more explicit characterizations of the SPR concentration at high-curvature places in both static and quasi-static regimes. The study boils down to analyzing the geometry of the so-called Neumann–Poincaré (NP) operators, which are certain pseudodifferential operators acting on the interfacial boundary. We propose to study the joint Hamiltonian flow of an integrable system given by the moment map defined by the NP operator. Via considering the Heisenberg picture and lifting the joint flow to a joint wave propagator, we establish a more general version of quantum ergodicity on each leaf of the foliation of this integrable system, which can then be used to establish the desired SPR concentration results. The mathematical framework developed in this paper leverages the Heisenberg picture of quantization and extends some results on quantum integrable systems via generalizing the concept of quantum ergodicity, which can be of independent interest in spectral theory and potential theory.

A Reduction Method of Phantom Shell Effects for APD Extraction Using Negative Permittivity Material

A Reduction Method of Phantom Shell Effects for APD Extraction Using Negative Permittivity Material

Understanding the negative permittivity behavior of polyvinyl alcohol based metamaterials under radio frequency

Functional metamaterials that exhibit negative dielectric permittivity through percolative network formation have attracted immense attention due to their significant potential for a wide range of applications in electronic devices. Negative permittivity has taken off as a research topic recent years in percolative composites. The polymer nanocomposites (PVA/H-Pa-G) were prepared using the α-Fe2O3 modified GNP and HCl doped polyaniline (Pani) based nanofillers (H-Pa-G). The as prepared samples were characterized in order to analyze their dielectric response for understanding the negative permittivity behavior. Below the percolation threshold for the polymer nanocomposite with 0.10%, 0.25% H-Pa-G nanofiller weight fraction, an increase in σac conductivity is observed with increase in frequency. The dielectric study confirmed the negative permittivity behavior for the polymer nanocomposite (0.50%, 1.00% and 2.00%) above the percolation threshold. This can be mainly attributed to the presence of the conductive network of H-Pa-G nanofiller in the PVA matrix. On the contrary, the positive permittivity is due to the insulative nature of PVA matrix. The empirical data of real permittivity was fitted using the Drude model that corresponded well with the experimental data with the fp = 1.31 GHz which is further certified by the equivalent circuit model fitting. This proposed work strongly suggest the implication of the as prepared polymer nanocomposite for the negative permittivity materials based applications.

High temperature study of dielectric and electrical conduction behaviour of La2NiO4

Materials showing negative permittivity have attracted considerable attention from researchers on account of their notable applications in electronic and electromagnetic devices. Discovering materials exhibiting negative permittivity is a challenging task. Very few single-phase oxides have been reported as negative permittivity materials. In this work, we have attempted to investigate the dielectric properties of La2NiO4 to explore the possibility of negative permittivity. To achieve the goal, powder, and ceramic of La2NiO4 have been synthesized by the conventional solid-state reaction method. Rietveld refinement of the X-ray diffraction data studies has confirmed the tetragonal structure and space group I4/mmm. The Dielectric properties and AC conductivity have been studied in the frequency range of 20 Hz–2 MHz and over a wide temperature range (30 °C–600 °C). The permittivity of La2NiO4 is found to be negative at all the measured frequencies and temperatures. The Drude model fitted the experimental data very well, suggesting that negative permittivity behavior can be assigned to the plasma oscillation of conducting electrons. The trend of AC conductivity with frequency is similar to the skin effect observed in metals. The variation of DC conductivity with temperature indicated small polaron hopping conduction mechanism. Analysis of reactance (Z′′) suggested inductive electrical character in the tested frequency and temperature range. Room temperature negative permittivity behavior of La2NiO4 makes it a potential candidate for practical electronic and electromagnetic devices that work in the Radio-frequency range. Furthermore, this work will add a new member to the family of Perovskite oxides showing tunable negative permittivity.

Dielectric properties and negative permittivity performance modulated by dual fillers in CNTs/TiN/CaCu3Ti4O12 ternary composites

Ceramic composites with negative permittivity have attracted widespread attention during the development of novel electromagnetic metamaterials. Herein, carbon nanotubes/TiN/CaCu3Ti4O12 (CNTs/TiN/CaCu3Ti4O12) ternary composites were prepared, and the effects of dual fillers on the dielectric properties of the ternary composites are discussed. The electrical conductivity increased markedly, and the conduction mechanism changed owing to the percolation of the dual conductor fillers. The switching of the reactance, from negative to positive, suggests that the ternary composites underwent a capacitive-inductive transition. The dielectric permittivity was negative owing to the plasmonic state of the free electrons in the percolating conductor fillers. Regulating the electron concentration by changing the filler content or adjusting the microstructure by changing the relative content of the dual fillers proved to be an effective way to tailor the negative permittivity performance of ternary composites. In addition, conduction loss dominated the dielectric loss mechanism of the negative permittivity composites. The realization and regulation mechanism of the negative permittivity of ternary composites are clarified, shedding light on the preparation and development of negative permittivity materials for various electromagnetic applications.

Magnetospectroscopy of terahertz surface plasmons in subwavelength perforated superlattice thin-films

Surface plasmons, the resonant oscillations of conducting electrons at the interface of negative and positive permittivity materials, pave the way for enhanced electromagnetic wave–matter interactions at a subwavelength scale. On the other hand, spin-dependent magnetotransport ushers an ingenious technology by inculcating electron spin to realize miniaturized, energy-efficient electromagnetic devices. Generally, magneto-resistive devices (viz., multilayer un-patterned magnetic–non-magnetic thin films) relying on magnetotransport mechanisms are not recognized for supporting surface plasmons toward enhanced electromagnetic interactions. However, an amalgamation of surface plasmons with spin-dependent magnetotransport can exploit magnetic (spintronic) degree of freedom in plasmonic devices. In this work, we propose a patterned superlattice (non-magnetic/ferromagnetic thin films) terahertz (THz) magneto-resistive device for supporting surface plasmons toward enhanced electromagnetic interactions. Magnetotransport dependent enhancement and dynamic magnetic modulation of resonant THz transmissions are experimentally demonstrated in subwavelength superlattice (Al/Ni) hole arrays for varying lattice parameters. Our experiments reveal that typical non-magnetic electromagnetic phenomena like surface plasmon resonances can be tweaked by externally applied low intensity magnetic fields [∼few tens of milli-tesla (0–30 mT)]. Experimental outcomes are explicated by spin-dependent terahertz magnetotransport theory in perforated superlattice metal sheets and, therefore, can stimulate a paragon for spin-based integrated photonic technology.

Defect-induced insulator-metal transition and negative permittivity in La1-Ba CoO3 perovskite structure

• Low-frequency plasmonic state and temperature-stable negative permittivity in La 1- x Ba x CoO 3 perovskite structure is achieved. • The partial replacement of La 3+ by Ba 2+ in La 1- x Ba x CoO 3 system can create oxygen vacancies and Co element with higher oxidation states. • Samples with x ≥ 0.12 manifest metal-like character described by the Drude model approximat. • Zero-crossing behavior of real permittivity is observed in La 0.9 Ba 0.1 CoO 3 sample. The development of negative permittivity materials in multifunctional applications requests expansion of their operating frequency and improvement of stability of negative permittivity. Low electron density is beneficial to reduce plasma frequency so that negative permittivity is achieved in kHz region. Negative permittivity achieved by percolating composites is restricted in practicality due to its instability nature at high temperatures.To achieve temperature-stable negative permittivity in kHz region, mono-phase La 1- x Ba x CoO 3 ceramics were prepared, and the transition from dielectric to metal was elaborated in the perspective of electrical conductivity and negative permittivity. The plasma-like negative permittivity is attained in kHz region, which is interpreted by the collective oscillation of low electron density. The temperature-stable negative permittivity is based on the fact that the plasmonic state will not be undermined at high temperatures. In addition, zero-crossing behavior of real permittivity is observed in La 0.9 Ba 0.1 CoO 3 sample, which provides a promising alternative to designing epsilon-near-zero materials. This work makes the La 1- x Ba x CoO 3 system a source material for achieving effective negative permittivity.

Plasmon resonances of nanorods in transverse electromagnetic scattering

Plasmon resonance is the resonant oscillation of conduction electrons at the interface between negative and positive permittivity material stimulated by incident light, which forms the fundamental basis of many cutting-edge industrial applications. We are concerned with the quantitative theoretical understanding of this peculiar resonance phenomenon. It is known that the occurrence of plasmon resonance as well as its quantitative behaviours critically depend on the geometry of the material structure, the corresponding material parameters and the operating wave frequency, which are delicately coupled together. In this paper, we study the plasmon resonance for a 2D nanorod structure, which presents an anisotropic geometry and arises in the transverse electromagnetic scattering. We present delicate spectral and asymptotic analysis to establish the accurate resonant conditions as well as sharply characterize the quantitative behaviours of the resonant field.

Communication—Function-Oriented Design of 3D Carbon Networks Toward Negative Permittivity at kHz Frequencies

Three-dimensional (3D) carbon networks composed of graphene (GR) and carbon nanotube (CNT) were constructed in copper calcium titanate (CCTO) in order to realize negative permittivity behavior. The results show that negative permittivity can be obtained at kHz frequencies above percolation threshold when 3D carbon networks are successfully constructed. Negative permittivity originates from the low-frequency plasmonic state which is explained by Drude model. The magnitude of negative permittivity was tuned between 105 and 106 which significantly correlates with concentration of free carriers. Moreover, the reactance spectra clarify the inductive character of negative permittivity materials.

Investigating Fill Factor Effect on Brillouin Zone of Metamaterial-Based 2D Photonic Crystal

: Fill factor in the negative permittivity materials are tailored within the physically permissible limits to characterize the Brillouin zone for two-dimensional crystal under the propagation of both s and p-polarized waves. Two lowermost band-gaps are computed along with corresponding mid-band frequencies, where the plane wave expansion method is invoked for computational purposes. The rectangular geometrical shape is considered for the simulation, and all the results are calculated inside the ‘Γ’ point and ‘X’ point of the first Brillouin zone. Simulated findings depict monotonous variations of both band-gap width as well as mid-band frequency for higher negative permittivity materials, when the magnitude of fill factor is comparatively low, for both TE (Transverse Electric) and TM (Transverse Magnetic) mode of propagations. Lower negative permittivity leads to random fluctuations, which makes it unsuitable for photonic component design. Multiple forbidden regions may be observed for some specific artificial materials which can be utilized in the antenna or multi-channel filter design in higher THz region. Aims: The present paper aims to compute the shape of the first Brillouin zone from the fill factor for a two-dimensional photonic crystal structure. Background: EBG (Electromagnetic Bandgap) of a photonic crystal plays a major role in determining its candidature for optical applications, which is critically controlled by the fill factor. Therefore, it is significant to investigate the effect of F.F on the wave propagation characteristics of 2D PhC(Twodimensional photonic crystal). Objective: Investigation of metamaterial-based photonic crystal structure for electromagnetic band-gap analysis in the desired spectrum of interest as a function of fill factor inside the first Brillouin zone. Methods: Maxwell’s equations are solved using the plane wave propagation method to solve the problem, and simulation is carried out in MATLAB® software. Result: Both the first and second photonic band-gaps are simultaneously computed with a variation of refractive index differences of the constituent materials as well as with the fill factors. Results are extremely significant about the formation of narrowband and wideband filters on certain material combinations and structural designs. Conclusion: Better tenability is observed for metamaterial structure compared to conventional positive index materials, and fill factor has a great role in shaping the Brillouin zone and corresponding bandgap width.

Waveguides including negative permeability and simultaneously negative permittivity and permeability materials for sensing applications

In this paper, a four-layer slab waveguide sensor is proposed. The waveguide has the conventional structure of a substrate, a guiding film and a cladding. At the substrate-film interface, an additional layer is inserted which can be a material with negative permeability or a material with simultaneously negative permittivity and permeability. The proposed waveguide is analyzed and both the dispersion relation and Fresnel coefficients are derived. The reflectance of an incident wave from the structure is investigated and plotted. The reflectance dip appearing in the profile is optimized. Using the two structures as optical sensor is also studied. The performance of the two structures as optical sensors is compared.

Refractometric sensor based on slab waveguides of simultaneously negative permittivity and permeability materials

A four-layer slab waveguide is treated analytically for optical sensing purposes. The layers of the waveguide are substrate, thin film and cladding. Another layer is introduced between the substrate and the film which is considered to have a negative permittivity or simultaneously negative permittivity (e) and permeability (μ). The structure is analyzed and the reflectance is deduced. The reflectance of p-polarized (TM) incident wave is investigated and plotted. A peak is observed in the reflectance profile which can be employed for sensing purposes. The reflectance peak is optimized to give the optimum parameters corresponding to the sharpest peak. The performances of the structures as optical sensors are examined and compared.

Doped ceramics of indium oxides for negative permittivity materials in MHz-kHz frequency regions

Negative permittivity has been widely studied in various metamaterials and percolating composites, of which the anomalous dielectric behavior was attributed to critical structural properties of building blocks. Herein, mono-phase ceramics of indium tin oxides (ITO) were sintered for epsilon-negative materials in MHz-kHz frequency regions. Electrical conductivity and complex permittivity were analyzed with Drude-Lorentz oscillator model. Carriers’ characters were measured based on Hall effect and the magnitude and frequency dispersion of negative permittivity were mainly determined by carrier concentration. Temperature-dependent dielectric properties further proved the epsilon-negative behaviors were closely associated with free carriers’ collective responses. It’s found that negative permittivity of ITO ceramics was mainly caused by plasma oscillations of free carriers, while the dielectric loss was mainly attributed to conduction loss. Negative permittivity realized here was related to materials intrinsic nature and this work preliminarily determined the mechanism of negative permittivity in doped ceramics from the perspective of carriers.

Tunneling modes induced by interface states in 1D photonic crystals with single negative materials

We investigate the electromagnetic wave propagating in one dimensional photonic crystals with alternating layers of negative permittivity materials and negative permeability metamaterials. The band structure and transmission spectra are obtained. In the negative effective permittivity and negative effective permeability regime, we find new interface modes propagating along the interfaces between the two different media with even and odd parities, respectively. For the oblique incident case, the new propagation modes result in the emergence of a transmission band within the zero-ϕeff gap of these photonic crystals. By adjusting the plasma density or the thickness of the plasma layer, the zero-ϕeff gap as well as the transmission band of the interface modes can be tuned, which can facilitate the design of tunable filters at the microwave frequency range.

Targeted Double Negative Properties in Silver/Silica Random Metamaterials by Precise Control of Microstructures

The mechanism of negative permittivity/permeability is still unclear in the random metamaterials, where the precise control of microstructure and electromagnetic properties is also a challenge due to its random characteristic. Here silver was introduced into porous SiO2 microsphere matrix by a self-assemble and template method to construct the random metamaterials. The distribution of silver was restricted among the interstices of SiO2 microspheres, which lead to the precise regulation of electrical percolation (from hoping to Drude-type conductivity) with increasing silver content. Negative permittivity came from the plasma-like behavior of silver network, and its value and frequency dispersion were further adjusted by Lorentz-type dielectric response. During this process, the frequency of epsilon-near-zero (ENZ) could be adjusted accordingly. Negative permeability was well explained by the magnetic response of eddy current in silver micronetwork. The calculation results indicated that negative permeability has a linear relation with ω0.5, showing a relaxation-type spectrum, different from the “magnetic plasma” of periodic metamaterials. Electromagnetic simulations demonstrated that negative permittivity materials and ENZ materials, with the advantage of enhanced absorption (40dB) and intelligent frequency selection even in a thin thickness (0.1 mm), could have potentials for electromagnetic attenuation and shielding. This work provides a clear physical image for the theoretical explanation of negative permittivity and negative permeability in random metamaterials, as well as a novel strategy to precisely control the microstructure of random metamaterials.

Theoretical study on negative permittivity of the material producing sharp surface plasmon resonance dips

Using theoretical simulations for optical fiber surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensors and prism-based SPR sensors coated with negative permittivity material (NPM), we investigated the effect of the permittivity of NPM on the transmitted spectrum of optical fiber SPR sensors and the reflected spectrum of prism-based SPR sensors and then obtained optimum permittivity of the NPM, which can excite the sharpest SPR spectrum in the white light region (400–900 nm).

Targeted Double Negative Properties in Silver/Silica Random Metamaterials by Precise Control of Microstructures.

The mechanism of negative permittivity/permeability is still unclear in the random metamaterials, where the precise control of microstructure and electromagnetic properties is also a challenge due to its random characteristic. Here silver was introduced into porous SiO2 microsphere matrix by a self-assemble and template method to construct the random metamaterials. The distribution of silver was restricted among the interstices of SiO2 microspheres, which lead to the precise regulation of electrical percolation (from hoping to Drude-type conductivity) with increasing silver content. Negative permittivity came from the plasma-like behavior of silver network, and its value and frequency dispersion were further adjusted by Lorentz-type dielectric response. During this process, the frequency of epsilon-near-zero (ENZ) could be adjusted accordingly. Negative permeability was well explained by the magnetic response of eddy current in silver micronetwork. The calculation results indicated that negative permeability has a linear relation with ω0.5, showing a relaxation-type spectrum, different from the “magnetic plasma” of periodic metamaterials. Electromagnetic simulations demonstrated that negative permittivity materials and ENZ materials, with the advantage of enhanced absorption (40dB) and intelligent frequency selection even in a thin thickness (0.1 mm), could have potentials for electromagnetic attenuation and shielding. This work provides a clear physical image for the theoretical explanation of negative permittivity and negative permeability in random metamaterials, as well as a novel strategy to precisely control the microstructure of random metamaterials.

Microwave experimental platform to demonstrate topology physics based on tight-binding model

Topology photonic, a combination of topology physics and optics provides novel visions to the demonstration of theoretical physics and designs principles to new optical devices. Being a key tool to condensed matter physics, tight-binding model helps the development of topology physics. We found that by changing the background material from vacuum to an effective medium with negative permittivity in traditional photonic crystals, a one-to-one correspondence to tight-binding model can be found for this new type of photonic crystal. We show by numerical simulations the existence of edge states located at both the zigzag and bearded boundaries of a honeycomb-lattice photonic crystal imbedded in negative permittivity material. Two experimental realizations are proposed that it is possible to build up a demonstration platform working at microwave frequencies to verify corresponding topology physics theories using simple photonic crystal structures. We hope that the successful verification of new topology physics can further trigger applications in optics.

High transmission of negative permittivity materials based on strong magnetic field coupling

Materials with negative permittivity are opaque for electromagnetic wave such that the transmitted signal cannot travel through them. To combat this phenomenon, we propose a novel high transmission mechanism using periodic placed split-ring resonators and metallic wires to construct a transparent sandwich structure. This structure consists of three layers of materials, where the material with negative permittivity is sandwiched between the materials with high permittivity. With the given frequency, we firstly exploit the metallic wires and split-ring resonators to attain non-transparent negative permittivity and high permittivity, respectively. By effective medium theory, effective relative permittivity retrieved from these materials’ S parameters is verified to be negative or high. Then a resonant tunneling of electromagnetic fields occurs in the proposed three-layer sandwich structure. Simulated and measured results show that this structure fulfills high transmission, although each single material layer is nearly opaque. In addition, this high transmission mechanism is characterized by strong magnetic field coupling and an optimized coupling distance. The high transmission phenomenon and resonant tunneling mechanism provide an idea of reference to realize perfect transmission through opaque materials, which is also realizable in infrared or optical regimes with appropriate designs.

Highly Subwavelength, Superdirective Cylindrical Nanoantenna.

A superdirective cylindrical nanoantenna is demonstrated with a multilayered cylindrical metamaterial-inspired structure. Targeting specific scattering coefficients for the dipole and higher-order modes, the ideal limit of needle radiation is demonstrated. A five-layer system is optimized to demonstrate its approach to the theoretical directivity bound. While the resulting structure is scalable to any frequency regime, its highly subwavelength overall size (λ_{0}/10) takes advantage of combinations of positive and negative permittivity materials in the optical regime.