ANTENNA WITH METAMATERIAL DESIGN

SURIA BINTI HALIM

UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MALAYSIA

 PSZ 19:16 (Pind.1/97)
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MALAYSIA

BORANG PENGESAHAN STATUS TESIS υ

JUDUL : ANTENNA WITH METAMATERIAL DESIGN

SESI PENGAJIAN : 2006/2007

Saya SURIA BINTI HALIM

(HURUF BESAR)

mengaku membenarkan tesis (PSM/Sarjana/Doktor Falsafah) * ini disimpan di Perpustakaan

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia dengan syarat-syarat kegunaan seperti berikut :

1. Tesis adalah hakmilik Universiti Teknologi Malaysia.

2. Perpustakaan Universiti Teknologi Malaysia dibenarkan membuat salinan untuk tujuan
pengajian sahaja.
3. Perpustakaan dibenarkan membuat salinan tesis ini sebagai bahan pertukaran antara
institusi pengajian tinggi.
4. ** Sila tandakan (√).
(Mengandungi maklumat yang berdarjah keselamatan atau
SULIT kepentingan Malaysia seperti yang termaktub di dalam AKTA
RAHSIA RASMI 1972)

(Mengandungi maklumat TERHAD yang telah ditentukan oleh

TERHAD organisasi/badan dimana penyelidikan dijalnkan)

√ TIDAK TERHAD
Disahkan oleh

_ _ ____________________________
(TANDATANGAN PENULIS) (TANDATANGAN PENYELIA)
Alamat Tetap :
NO. 41, JALAN SS7/2, DR. MOHAMAD KAMAL A. RAHIM
KELANA JAYA, Nama Penyelia
47301 PETALING JAYA
SELANGOR.

Tarikh : ____11/5/2007 Tarikh : ___11/5/2007__________

CATATAN : * Potong yang tidak berkenaan.

** Jika tesis ini SULIT atau TERHAD, sila lampirkan surat daripada pihak
berkuasa/organisasi berkenaan dengan menyatakan sekali sebab dan
tempoh tesis ini perlu.
υ Tesis dimaksudkan sebagai tesis bagi Ijazah Doktor Falsafah dan Sarjana
secara penyelidikan atau disertai bagi pengajian secara kerja kursus dan
penyelidikan atau Laporan Projek Sarjana Muda (PSM).
“I hereby declare that I have read this project report and in my opinion this project
report is sufficient in terms of scope and quality for the award of the degree of
Master of Engineering (Electrical- Electronics and Telecommunications)”

Signature : _________________________
Name of Supervisor : Dr. Mohamad Kamal A. Rahim
Date : 11/5/2007
 ANTENNA WITH METAMATERIAL DESIGN

SURIA BINTI HALIM

A project report submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the

award of the degree of Master of Engineering (Electrical – Electronics and
Telecommunications)

Faculty of Electrical Engineering

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia

MAY 2007
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I declare that this project report entitled “ Antenna With Metamaterial Design ” is the
result of my own research except as cited in the references. The thesis has not been
accepted for any degree and is not concurrently submitted in candidature of any other
degree.

Signature : ___________________
Name : Suria Binti Halim
Date : 11/5/2007
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To my beloved husband, Hairul Azydy Muhammad Yusuf

for his love, support and understanding
To my lovely son, Muhammad Irfan Raziq (born on 4th May 2007)
for the 9 months of wonderful experienced and lots to come
 iv

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I would like to thank the project’s supervisor Dr. Mohamad Kamal A. Rahim for his
guidance, time and supervision. His ideas, advise and constructive comments have
contributed greatly in the overall project progression and in the writing of this report.
This acknowledgements also for all the individuals who assist me in their own ways
throughout the project’s completion.
 v

ABSTRACT

Metamaterial exhibiting negative permittivity and negative permeability in

certain frequency range or known as left-handed material (LHM), provides another
alternative to the existing right-hand rule. With this theory, it offers a new dimension to
the antenna applications as well as optic. The negative refractive index and the
convergence of the electromagnetic waves when passing through the metamaterial is
good for optical applications. However, this project looks into the effect of metamaterial
structure to the conventional antenna and concentrate on proving the existence of the
negative index material within certain frequency regions. Also, the relationship between
different varies dimensions used affect the frequency response is being emphasized in
order to understand further the metamaterial structure and its properties. Knowing that,
the structure is optimized to get the left-handed properties in X-band frequency which is
around 8GHz-12GHz. Although, the metamaterial structure giving a limited negative
range within the X-band, it does agree to the metamaterial theory with the co-existence
of both negative permittivity and negative permeability. The theoretical calculation give
a reference value to work with, while the simulation via HFSS simulation tools is used
to optimized and confirmed to the theoretical result. Then the simulation also being
performed on the antenna with metamaterial structure and the effect is observed and
analyzed where we can see a frequency shift occurred.
 vi

ABSTRAK

Metamaterial menunjukkan permitiviti dan permeabiliti negatif dalam julat

frekuensi tertentu. Ia juga dikenali sebagai ‘left-handed material (LHM), yang
memberikan alternatif lain kepada peraturan tangan kanan sedia ada. Indeks pembiasan
negatif dan penumpuan gelombang electromagnet selepas melepasi metamaterial adalah
berguna untuk aplikasi optik. Walau bagaimana pun, projek ini melihat kesan struktur
metamaterial ke atas antena konvensional dan tumpuan diberikan untuk menunjukkan
kewujudan material berindeks negatif dalam kawasan frekuensi tertentu. Hubungkait
antara pelbagai variasi dimensi struktur metamaterial dan frekuensi ditekankan dalam
projek ini untuk lebih pemahaman terhadap struktur metamaterial dan sifat-sifatnya.
Dengan pengetahuan yang diperolehi, struktur metamaterial dioptimumkan untuk
memberikan sifat ‘tangan-kiri’ (left –hand rule) dalam frekuensi ‘julat-X’ (X-band) iaitu
sekitar 8Ghz -12Ghz. Walaupun struktur metamaterial memberikan nilai frekuensi
negatif yang terhad di dalam julat-X, ia tetap mematuhi teori metamaterial dengan
kewujudan kedua-dua pemitiviti negatif dan permeabiliti negative. Pengiraan secara
teori memberikan nilai rujukan, manakala simulasi menggunakan alat simulasi HFSS
membenarkan struktur dioptimumkan dan keputusan teori dipastikan. Proses simulasi
juga dilakukan ke atas antena dengan struktur metamaterial dan kesannya diperhatikan
dan dianalisa di mana terdapatnya perubahan ke atas nilai frekuensi.
 vii

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER TITLE PAGE

DECLARATION ii
DEDICATION iii
ACKNOWLEDMENTS iv
ABSTRACT v
ABSTRAK vi
TABLE OF CONTENTS vii
LIST OF TABLES x
LIST OF FIGURES xi
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS xiv
LIST OF SYMBOLS xv

1 INTRODUCTION 1
1.1 Introduction to Metamaterial 1
1.2 Objective of the Project 3
1.3 Scope of the Project 3
1.4 Summary 4

2 LITERATURE REVIEW 5
2.1 Brief Theory 5
2.1.1 Negative Index Refraction 8
2.1.2 Refraction and Snell’s Law 9
2.2 Single-Ring SRR and Double-Ring SRR 14
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2.3 Different Metamaterial Structure 17

2.4 Metamaterial as Antenna Substrate to Enhance Directivity 21
2.5 Summary 31

3 DESIGN METHODOLOGY 32
3.1 Methodology Overview 32
3.2 Metamaterial Structure 33
3.3 Calculation of the Metamaterial Design Structure 36
3.4 Calculation of Patch Antenna 38
3.5 Simulation of the Metamaterial Unit Cell 40
3.6 Simulation of the Metamaterial Array 42
3.7 Simulation of the Patch Antenna 44
3.8 Simulation of the Patch Antenna with Metamaterial
Structure 44
3.9 Summary 45

…..4 SIMULATION RESULT AND ANALYSIS 46

4.1 Metamaterial Unit Cell’s Dimension Variation 46
4.2 LHM/ Negative Index Medium Properties of the
Metamaterial Unit Cell 49
4.3 LHM/ Negative Index Medium Properties of
the Metamaterial 2x3 Array 53
4.4 S parameter of the Patch Antenna with and without
the Metamaterial Structure 55
4.5 Summary 57

5 CONCLUSION AND FUTURE WORKS 58

REFERENCES 60
APPENDIX A - 65
 ix

LIST OF TABLES

TABLE NO. TITLE PAGE

2.1 Comparison among different metamaterial structure 21
4.1 Effect of dimension variations on the frequency region 47
4.2 Summary Relation of Unit Cell Dimension and
Frequency Response 48
 x

LIST OF FIGURES

FIGURE NO. TITLE PAGE

2.1 Electromagnetic waves 6
2.2 Permittivity, ε - permeability,μ and refractive index (n)
diagram 7
2.3 Wave incident on a positive index material 8
2.4 Wave incident on a negative index material 9
2.5 The angle of incidence of the prism 11
2.6 Conventional material – the wave refracted towards the
surface normal 11
2.7 Left-handed material – the wave refracted away from the
surface normal 12
2.8 Refracted rays in conventional material 12
2.9 Refracted rays in Left-handed material 13
2.10 Single-ring SRRs 14
2.11 Transmission versus Frequency for single-ring SRRs 15
2.12 Magnetic permeability for the single-ring SRRs 15
2.13 Single-ring and Double-ring SRRs 16
2.14 Transmission versus Frequency for double-ring and its isolated
outer and inner rings 17
2.15 Different metamaterial structure 18
2.16 Retrieval results for 1-D Split-Ring structure 19
2.17 Retrieval results for Symmetrical-Ring structure 19
2.18 Retrieval results for Omega structure 20
2.19 Retrieval results for S structure 20
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2.20 Full size rod structure 22

2.21 Slab of metamaterial in a waveguide 23
2.22 One cell rod structure in a waveguide 23
2.23 Retrieval results for rod medium 24
2.24 Radiated power and normalized radiation from simulation
for rod 25
2.25 The structure of metamaterial cover with patch antenna 26
2.26 S11 of conventional type and metamaterial type patch
antenna 26
2.27 Radiation pattern under different distances of gaps 27
2.28 Radiation directivity of metamaterial-cover patch antenna
change with different distances between layers 27
2.29 Schemetic representation of the structure 29
2.30 Experimental and theoretical transmission of the slab of
metamaterial for a normal incidence. 30
2.31 Emission diagram of the antenna 30
3.1 Methodology Flow 33
3.2 SRR structure 34
3.3 Strip wire structure 35
3.4 Metamaterial structure 35
3.5 Square patch antenna structure 38
3.6 The boundary conditions & waveports for metamaterial
structure 41
3.7 The 2 x 3 array of metamaterial structure 43
3.8 Patch antenna structure 44
3.9 Patch antenna with metamaterial structure 45
4.1 Metamaterial unit cell 47
4.2 The magnitude of the simulated S parameters for unit cell 50
4.3 The phase of the simulated S parameters for unit cell 50
4.4 The retrieved index of the unit cell 51
4.5 The retrieved impedance of the unit cell 51
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4.6 The permittivity of the unit cell 52

4.7 The permeability of the unit cell 52
4.8 : Field pattern of metamaterial structure (E field) 53
4.9 The magnitude and phase of the simulated S paramers for
2x3 array 54
4.10 The retrieved material parameters for 2x3 array 54
4.11 S11 parameter of the patch antenna 55
4.12 S11 parameter of the patch antenna with metamaterial structure 56
 xiii

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS

HFSS - High Frequency Simulator System

LH - Left -Handed
LHM - Left-Handed Material
PEC - Perfect Electric Conductor
PMC - Perfect Magnetic Conductor
RHM - Right-Handed Material
SRR - Split Ring Resonator
 xiv

LIST OF SYMBOLS

A - antenna aperture
c - free space velocity of the light
D - aperture diameter
f - frequency
F - filling factor
g - gap
h - height
l - length
n - refractive index
s - separation
w - width
z - impedance
ε - permittivity
μ. - permeability
ω - resonance frequency
θ - angle
λ - wavelength
 CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

This chapter consists of the introduction to the metamaterial which includes the
definition of the metamaterial, the early theory to the negative index of refraction, and
the structure that shows the left-handed properties. Then, follows by the objective and
scope of the project which reflect the overall project’s content.

1.1 Introduction to Metamaterial

Metamaterials are artificial materials synthesized by embedding specific

inclusions, for example, periodic structures, in host media. Some of these materials
demonstrate the property of either negative permittivity or permeability. If both happen
at the same time, then the composite exhibits an effective negative index of refraction
and is referred to as left-handed metamaterials. The name was given because the electric
field, magnetic field and the wave vector formed a left-handed system.

According to Valerie Browning and Stu Wolf of Defense Advanced Research

Project Agency (DARPA), metamaterial can be defined as a new class of ordered
composites that exhibit exceptional properties not readily observed in nature. These
properties arise from qualitatively new response functions that are not observed in the
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constituent materials and is the result from the inclusion of artificially fabricated,
extrinsic, low dimensional inhomogeneties.

The electric and magnetic properties of materials are determined by two

important material parameters, dielectric permittivity, ε and magnetic permeability, μ.
Together the permeability and the permittivity, determine the response of the material to
the electromagnetic radiation. Generally, ε and μ are both positive in ordinary materials.
While ε could be negative in some materials (for instance, ε posses negative values
below the plasma frequency of metals), no natural materials with negative μ are known.
However, for certain structures, which are called left-handed materials (LHM), both the
effective permittivity, εeff and permeability, μeff possess negative values. In such
materials the index of refraction, n, is less than zero, and therefore, phase and group
velocity of an electromagnetic wave can propagate in opposite directions such that the
direction of propagation is reversed with respect to the direction of energy flow [1].

The idea of metamaterial or negative index of refraction was first proposed

theoretically in 1968 by V.G.Veselago. This metamaterial exhibits a negative
permittivity and permeability or also known as left –handed material (LHM). Veselago
also predicted that the LHMs exhibit anti-parallel nature in electromagnetic wave
propagation and Poynting vectors. This is opposed the conventional materials which
normally carry electromagnetic wave energy in the same direction as they propagate.
With this theory, it provides another alternative and open the possibility for wider
exploration in the area that previously cannot be reached using the right hand rules
properties.

The negative permittivity is easily obtained by an array of metallic wires and was
theorized in 1996. It was shown that the structure is having a plasma frequency in the
microwave regime. Because of its low plasma frequency, this structure can produce an
effective negative permittivity at microwave frequencies while suffering relatively small
losses. JB Pendry also theorized the structure of negative permeability which is
 3

established in 1999 with split ring resonator (SRR) structure [20]. The first negative
index medium was developed when both of these structures were combined and it was
shown that the negative index of refraction is existed in the region where both the real
parts of the electric permittivity and magnetic permeability were simultaneously
negative. Typically, in a structure composed of SRRs and strip wires

1.2 Objective Of The Project

Conventional antenna often limits the application of the antenna since they are
governed by the ‘right-hand rule’ which determine how electromagnetic wave should
behave. Metamaterial offers an alternative solution to widen the antenna applications
using the ‘left-hand rule’. The unique properties of metamaterial enable the
enhancement of the conventional antenna, thus open more opportunities for better
antenna design. This project will emphasize on obtaining the metamaterial structure
with optimized parameters for negative index behaviour in which both permittivity and
permeability co-exist simultaneously in the required frequency region.

The main objectives of this project are:

i) To design and simulate the metamaterial structure
ii) To incorporate metamaterial structure in the antenna design

1.3 Scope Of The Project

The scope of the project will includes the study of metamaterial which will be
emphasized on the negative refractive index or left-handed material (LHM) and the
metamaterial structure which cover the conventional LHM. Another is to design the
metamaterial structure by using the theoretical method to find the optimized structure, to
compare the design parameter and to see the effect of varies structure dimensions on the
 4

frequency response. Finally to perform a simulation on the designed structure using

High Frequency Simulator System (HFSS) and analyze the result obtained.

1.4 Summary

The introduction of metamaterials described on the early finding of the

metamaterials from the theory to the realization of the metamaterial properties and
structures. Knowing the fundamental concept and information of the metamaterial, the
objective and scope are defined to ensure that the overall studies are within the required
field.
 CHAPTER 2

LITERATURE REVIEW

This chapter consists of brief theory of metamaterial which includes the

properties of metamaterial in electromagnetic field, the behavior of negative index of
refraction, and the other prominent properties of metamaterial that is refraction and the
Snell’s Law. Besides, there are also discussion based on few literatures in metamaterial
areas performed by other researchers. The discussion look into the SRR structure and
how its effect the left-handed properties of metamaterial where the emphasized are done
on the single-ring SRR versus double-ring SRR as well as different structure of the
SRRs. Also, includes here is a discussion on the metamaterial as antenna substrate to
enhance directivity, which includes the interaction of metamaterial with a patch antenna
and the effect of metamaterial structure on the conventional antenna in terms of its
performance such as directivity.

2.1 Brief Theory

Metamaterial exhibits negative electrical permittivity and/ or negative

permeability. These two properties determine how a material will interact with
electromagnetic radiation including microwave, radiowave, x-rays and all other
electromagnetic wavelength. When both permittivity and permeability are multaneously
 6

negative, its then having a negative refractive index or left-handed material. This
relationship is shown by the following Maxwell’s equation for refractive index:

n=±√ με (2.1)

Electromagnetic waves are governed by Maxwell's equations, which show that

these waves contain both electric and magnetic fields as shown in Figure 2.1.
Electromagnetic waves consist of in-phase, oscillating electric and magnetic fields.
Plane waves, as shown here, have electric and magnetic fields that are polarized at right
angles to each other. The field directions in a plane wave also form right angles with
respect to their direction of travel (the propagation direction). When an electromagnetic
wave enters in a material, the fields of the wave interact with the electrons and other
charges of the atoms and molecules that compose the material, causing them to move
about. For example, this interaction alters the motion of the wave-changing its speed or
wavelength.

Figure 2.1: Electromagnetic waves

Knowing that the permittivity and permeability are the only relevant material
parameters for electromagnetic waves, we can imagine a 'material parameter space' into
which all materials can be placed. This is illustrated in Figure 2.2.
 7

Figure 2.2: Permittivity, ε - permeability,μ and refractive index (n) diagram [4]

Region I is where the permittivity and permeability are both positive. Since most
known materials have this property, this region of material parameter space has been the
most explored. However, the larger part of the map-three quarters, in fact has been
much less explored. This is because materials are just not so easily available in these
regions. In fact, materials that lie in the region III, where the permittivity and
permeability are both less than zero, do not appear in nature at all [4].

While nature appears to have limitations in terms of the material properties that
are found, artificially structured metamaterials are not limited in the same way. The
hope, then, is that more of the material parameter space can be made accessible with
metamaterials. An important step towards this goal was made in 2000, when a
metamaterial was demonstrated to have a permittivity and permeability both less than
zero.
 8

2.1.1 Negative Index Refraction

All transparent or translucent materials that is known of possess positive

refractive index or a refractive index that is greater than zero, in nature. However, as
proposed by Veselago and realized by Pendry, a negative refractive index is made
possible. Maxwell's equations relate the permittivity and the permeability to the
refractive index as follows in equation 2.1: The sign of the index is usually taken as
positive. However, Veselago showed that if a medium has both negative permittivity
and negative permeability, this convention must be reversed, thus the negative sign of
the square root is chosen to indicate the negative refractive index.

This negative value can be explain as follows; as an example, it is often said that
the velocity of a wave in a material is given by c/n, where c is the speed of light in
vacuum. The implication of a negative index, then, is that the wave travels backwards,
as shown in below figure. An electromagnetic wave can be depicted as a sinusoidally
varying function that travels to the right or to the left as a function of time. Figure 2.3
shows that a wave is incident on a positive index material (the reflected wave has been
ignored). The greater index of the second medium implies that the wavelength
decreases (by a factor of 1/n); however, to maintain the same phase at the interface as a
function of time, the speed of the wave must also be reduced, again by a factor of 1/n.

Figure 2.3: Wave incident on a positive index material

 9

When the refractive index is negative, the speed of the wave, given by c/n is
negative and the wave travels backwards toward the source as shown in Figure 2.4. Yet,
it would reasonably expect that since energy is incident on the material from the left, the
energy in the material should likewise travel to the right, which is away from the
interface. To resolve this, Veselago showed that there are more ways to define the
velocity of a wave. The definition c/n is well known as the phase velocity and
determines the rate at which the peaks (or zeros) of a wave pass a given point in time.
But this is not most relevant definition of a wave's velocity as we can also define the
group, energy, signal and front velocities, and these generally differ from the phase
velocity. Therefore, in left-handed metamaterial, wave propagates in the opposite
direction to the energy flows.

Figure 2.4: Wave incident on a negative index material

2.1.2 Refraction and Snell's Law

One of the most fundamental of optical effects is refraction, or the bending of

light as it crosses the interface between two materials. Refraction is the basic principle
behind lenses and other optical elements that focus, steer, guide or otherwise manipulate
light. Highly sophisticated and complex optical devices are developed by carefully
 10

shaping materials so that light is refracted in desired ways (think of a camera lens or a
microscope objective).

The underlying principle of refraction can be easily understood and applies to all
electromagnetic waves and not just visible light. Every material, including air, has an
index-of-refraction (or refractive index). When an electromagnetic wave traverses the
interface from a material with refractive index n1 to another material with refractive
index n2, the change in its trajectory can be determined from the ratio of refractive
indices n2/n1 by the use of Snell's Law.

(2.2)

To apply Snell's Law, consider an interface between two materials and an

imaginary line that runs perpendicular to the interface (the surface normal). The angles
in Snell's law are measured away from the surface normal. If the refractive indices of
the two materials are not equal, the angle of the transmitted beam will differ from the
angle of the incident beam. The beam is then bent at the interface.

A common way to determine the refractive index of a material is to form a prism

out of the material, shine a beam of light through it and observe the deflection of the
beam on the other side. Light enters the prism through one of the interfaces at direct
incidence, striking the opposite interface at an oblique angle. Figure 2.5 shows what
happens to the beam when the material has the same index as the surrounding medium,
or has an index that is greater than the surrounding medium but either positive or
negative. The figure also shown the dashed line, which represents the surface normal,
which is perpendicular to the interface between the prism and the surrounding material.
The angle of the prism defines the angle of incidence of the beam to the interface.
 11

Figure 2.5 : The angle of incidence of the prism

A measurement of the angle of the exit beam from the surface normal provides a
measurement of the refractive index of the prism. Figure 2.6 shows the refracted wave
for the conventional material, where the waves are refracted toward the surface normal.
Snell's Law shows that a material with a negative refractive index, not a material that
exists in nature would refract a beam to negative angles, as shown in Figure 2.7, where
the refracted wave is away from the surface normal.

Figure 2.6: Conventional material - the wave refracted towards the surface normal
 12

Figure 2.7: Left-handed material - the wave refracted away from the surface normal

Figure 2.8 and 2.9 shows how the spreading patterns of the waves on entering
and exiting the conventional and LHM material respectively. For conventional material,
the refracted waves are spreading away on entering and exiting the medium. For LHM,
the waves are refracted in such a way as to produce a focus inside the material and then
another just outside. The radiation pattern is more a beamlike, which leads to the
creation of highly directional antennas and also may allow more antennas to be placed in
closely packed space.

Figure 2.8: Refracted rays in conventional material

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Figure 2.9: Refracted rays in Left-handed material

The startling properties of negative refractive index metamaterials:

i) Snell’s Law (n1 sin θ1 = n2 sin θ2) still applies but rays are refracted
away from the normal on entering the material.
ii) The Doppler Shift is reversed that is a light source moving toward an
observer appears to reduce its frequency.
iii) Cherenkov radiation points the other way. Cherenkov radiation is the
light emitted when a charged particle passes through a medium under
certain conditions, in normal material the emitted light is in a forward
direction whereas in LHM, light is emitted in the reverse direction.
iv) The group velocity is anti-parallel to phase velocity
 14

2.2 Single Ring SRR and Double Ring SRR

According to studies by Kafesaki, M. et.al. (2005), magnetic resonance with

negative permeability,μ can be obtain using single or double-ring SRR. A single-ring
SRR also behaves as a magnetic resonator. Figure 2.10 shows the square and circular
shape for single-ring SRR placed in air. The linear SRR size of the square is 1.8mm and
the outer diameter of the circular SRR also 1.8mm with similar computational cell and
materials characteristics as of square SRR.

Figure 2.10: Single-ring SRRs [11]

The transmission for both single-ring SRR structures is plotted in figure 2.11 ,
which shows that both the square and circular sing ring SRRs give a dip in the
transmission coefficient which is associated with a negative permeability regime. The
frequency of this dip, that is the magnetic resonance frequency, ωm, is a little lower for
the square SRR that for the circular SRR. The inductance in the single-ring resonator is
provided by its square or circular metallic loop, while the capacitance is given by the
gap of the ring.[11].
 15

Figure 2.11: Transmission versus Frequency for single-ring SRRs [11]

The second dip in the transmission of figure 2.11 at ω = ωo corresponds to the

electric cut-wire-like response of the SRR [13] i.e to a resonance in its electrical
permittivity, ε. Since the ring exhibits both a magnetic and electric resonance which
also associated with a μ < 0 and ε < 0 regime, respectively, theoretically it might be
possible to achieve a LH transmission regime using only an array of SRRs, by tuning the
magnetic resonance into the negative permittivity band provided by its own electric cut-
wire response. Figure 2.12 shows the magnetic permeability as a function of frequency
for the single-ring SRR, at frequencies around the magnetic resonance frequency.

Figure 2.12: Magnetic permeability for the single-ring SRRs [11]

 16

From the result shown in figure 2.12 which compared the transmission properties
and the retrieval values of the permeability, it is noted that there is no qualitative
difference between the square and circular single-ring SRR. However, with the same
linear dimension, metal characteristics and gaps, in general the circular SRR shows
higher v alues of ωm and ωo which is due to the smaller area and the smaller side length’.

For ease of calculation, the square ring is used to compare the transmission
parameter between the single-ring and double-ring SRRs. Figure 2.13 shows the
double-ring SRR as well as single-ring SRR as discussed previously. Figure 2.14(a)
shows the transmission through the double-ring SRR and figure2.14(b) shows the
transmission through only its outer or its inner ring SRR. It can be seen that the lower
magnetic resonance frequency of the double ring as represented by the first dip
(figure2.149(a)), is essentially that of the outer ring, but with a relatively small
downwards shift. This shift is due to the additional capacitance between the rings [11].
The second dip(figure 2.14(a)), corresponds essentially to the magnetic resonance of the
inner ring with a small upwards shift. The strength of this resonance is sometimes very
small, showing that the magnetic response of the inner ring is screened by the presence
of the outer ring [11].

Figure 2.13: Single-ring and Double-ring SRRs

 17

Figure 2.14: Transmission versus Frequency for double-ring and its isolated outer and
inner rings [11]

From the result, the advantage of the double-ring SRR as compared to the single-
ring SRR, is that the magnetic resonance frequency of the double ring occurs at a
relatively lower frequency. This leads to a higher probability for the magnetic response
to lie in the ε < 0 regime when combined with strip wires in the metamaterial structure.
Another advantage is that, the array of double-ring SRRs possesses a stronger magnetic
resonance, which might lead to a more robust LH peak for the metamaterial structure.

2.3 Different Metamaterial Structure

Wu, B. –I. et. al. (2005) also perform a comparative study of different
metamaterial structure as antenna substrate, which includes 1-D Split Ring structure,
Symmetrical –Ring structure, Omega structure and S structure. These structures are all
left-handed materials where there will be a region where n is negative and the index of
refraction is zero would occur at the frequencies where either permittivity or
permeability is zero. These structures are illustrated in figure 2.15.
 18

2.15: Different metamaterial structure [31]

The result obtained for each structure is represented in figure 2.16 for 1-D Split
ring structure, figure 2.17 for Symmetrical-Ring structure, figure 2.18 for Omega
structure and figure 2.19 for S-structure.
 19

Figure 2.16: Retrieval results for 1-D Split-Ring structure [31]

Figure 2.17 : Retrieval results for Symmetrical-Ring structure [31]

 20

Figure 2.18 : Retrieval results for Omega structure [31]

Figure 2.19 : Retrieval results for S structure [31]

 21

The result can be summarized as shown in table 2.1 is meant for frequency
between 8GHz to 18GHz., where it shows the frequency bandwidth each structure
exhibit the left-handed properties, the clean of retrieval, also the ease of tunability for
directive antenna. From table 2.1, it is shown that the Symmetrical-Ring structure
provide better directional beam and it s easier tune its permeability since it rings is
symmetrical. Thus, the Symmetrical-Ring structure is more suitable as antenna substrate
compared to others for directive antenna applications.

Table 2.1: Comparison among different metamaterial structure [31]

2.4 Metamaterial as Antenna Substrate to Enhance Directivity

A study by Wu, B. –I. et al (2005), shows the effect of metamaterial on

directivity where the simulations are done on the radiation of a dipole antenna embedded
in metamaterial substrates. The structure used in the design is composed of a periodic
collection of rods, or both rods and rings. Then the S-parameters in the waveguide are
analyzed and being compared to their equivalent plasma or resonant structure. The
study only adopted the numerical simulation and theoretical approach in designing a
metmaterial structure that is good for antenna substrate. The radiation effect is being
approximated based on simulation on a slice of metamaterial in a parallel plate
waveguide.

The radiation setup used the rod medium structure as shown in Figure 2.20,
where each rod is a cylindrical PEC structure with a radius of 0.2mm, and the length of
 22

250mm. The period is 5.8mm and 6.3mm in the x- and y-direction respectively with 6
layers of rods in y-direction and 40 repetition in the x-direction. For radiation, a 50Ω S-
parameter discrete port of 1mm in length is placed at the center of the structure. The slab
of metamaterial in PEC parallel plate waveguide as shown in Figure 2.21 is used to
approximate the full size structure as to cope with the simulation limitation in memory
and time.

Figure 2.20 : Full size rod structure [31]

To study the metamaterial properties in a waveguide, a unit cell is identified

from the full size structure and placed in the waveguide. This is shown in Figure 2.22
where the rod is modeled with PEC material, and the background as air. The top and
bottom surface has PEC boundary conditions, the left and right has PMC boundary
condition, whereas the front and back as open boundary condition.
 23

Figure 2.21 : Slab of metamaterial in a waveguide. [31]

Figure 2.22 : One cell rod structure in a waveguide [31]

Figure 2.23 shows the retrieval results for rod mediums, where an electric plasma
frequency of 13.5Ghz is observed. Then, the far field radiation will be concentrated
around 13.5GHz, since the index of refraction will be close to zero in that region and
may produced a beam sharpening effect. The rod medium only give a permittivity value,
but for metamaterial the permeability value also need to be considered.
 24

Figure 2.23 : Retrieval results for rod medium [31]

The radiation resulted from simulation shows that, the most directive beam is
centered at around 13.7GHz and the high power beam is centered at around 14.4GHz for
full size structure and around 13.6GHz and 13.9GHz directive and high power beam
respectively for slab, as shown in figure 2.24. These value even though is different from
expected value but still within the working region.
 25

Figure 2.24: Radiated power and normalized radiation from simulation for rod [31]

In a studies by Hu Jun et.al (2005), where the designed of metamaterial is

composed of perfect conductor with a square lattice and whose period is equal to 35.4
mm (in the x-axis and y-axis directions). The grids’ spacing in the z-axis direction is 43
mm. The edge of the square holes of the perfect conductor grids is 30.22 mm. The
metamaterial-cover patch antenna is composed of an ordinary patch antenna and two
metamaterial layers each composed of 9×9 units as shown in figure 2.25
 26

Figure 2.25: The structure of metamaterial cover with patch antenna [10]

Given the structure of ordinary patch antenna and the structure of metamaterial
layer, there are three key factors to adjust: the working frequency, the number of the
layers and the distance between the layers (the grid’s spacing in the z-axis direction).
The working frequency of ordinary patch antenna is 2.585 GHz;. The substrate is 2 mm
thick, with relative dielectric coefficient equal to 2.2. The patch antenna size is 36.8
mm×45.9 mm and the feed is a 1.2 mm diameter metal cylinder, 6.65 mm to the center
of the patch along the x-axis direction.

Figure 2.26 compares S11 between ordinary patch antenna and metamaterial
cover patch antenna. Obviously the working frequency moves to 2.57GHz and the
scope of impedance is not changed much as being observed and compared the chosen
frequency of the two types of antenna.

Figure 2.26: S11 of conventional type and metamaterial type patch antenna [10]
 27

Radiation patterns of metamaterial-cover patch antenna under different distances

of gaps and ordinary patch antenna as shown in figure 2.27. The abscissa represents
angle between the normal of the cover and the radiation direction. Whereas figure 2.28
shows the radiation directivity of metamaterial-cover patch antenna change with
different distances between layers

Figure 2.27: Radiation pattern under different distances of gaps [10]

Figure 2.28: Radiation directivity of metamaterial-cover patch antenna change with

different distances between layers [10]
 28

The ordinary patch antenna’s directivity is 7.7 dB; after adding metamaterial, the
patch antenna’s directivity is increased to 16.84 dB. Theoretically, the maximum
directivity of an aperture antenna is

Dmax = 4πAλ02 ; where,

A = l2=318.6 mm×318.6 mm,
 λ= c0/f0 = 116.7 mm,
so Dmax = 19.72 dB.

The directivity of the patch antenna with metamaterial designed as specified

above has almost approached the theoretical limit of the antenna with the same size and
the same working frequency. Thus it can be conclude that antenna with metamaterial
design results in increased in antenna gain doubled that of the conventional antenna for
similar range of working frequency.

Stephen Enoch et al.(2002), whose concentrate on the study of metamaterial for

directive emission in their paper, shows that the specific properties of metallic composite
material can modify the emission of an embedded source. Also shown is the energy
radiated by a source embedded in a slab material will be concentrated in a narrow cone
in the surrounding media under a proper condition. The matematerial used is the
simplest class of metamaterial which is a metallic mesh of thin wires with wires in the
three directions of space. The metamaterial is composed of copper grids made using the
conventional printed circuits technology of electronics and slices of foam whose
permittivity is closed to 1 (ε = 1.08 at 14.6 GHz). The schematic structure is shown in
figure 2.29.
 29

Figure 2.29: Schematic representation of the structure [7]

The structure used is composed of six identical grids with a square lattice
embedded in foam essentially for its mechanical properties with the following
parameters:
- a square lattice whose period is equal to 5.8mm (in the x- and y-axis
directions)
- the grids’ spacing in the z-axis direction is 6.3mm and are separated with foam
- the edge of the square grids is 226mm
- the metamaterial is placed on ametallic ground plane and is excited by a
monopole antenna between the 3rd and the 4th grids.

Figure 2.30 shows the transmission of the slab of metamaterial for a normal
incidence for experimental (solid line) and theoretical (dashed line) approach. Whereas,
figure 2.31 show the emission diagram of the antenna in dB scale (upper figure) and
linear scale (lower figure) in the H plane (solid line) and the E plane (dashed line),
which shows the emission of the antenna of the structure for the optimal frequency (f=
14.65 GHz chosen to obtain the best directivity). The result shows that the emission of
the structure is concentrated in a narrow lobe around the normal of the structure and
moreover is linearly polarized.
 30

Figure 2.30: Experimental and theoretical transmission of the slab of metamaterial for a
normal incidence [7]

Figure 2.31: Emission diagram of the antenna [7]

 31

From the above studies, it can be concluded that metamaterial as antenna

substrate offering an improvement in terms of antenna directivity due to its negative
permittivity and permeability properties. Different approaches can be used in getting the
directivity enhancement, however similar result to the theory should be expected upon
performing certain optimization on the structure to suite the required application.

2.5 Summary

With reference to the literature review discussed, it is shown that the SRR
structure is an important discovery that leads to the negative permeability value that
contribute to the left-handed properties. The conventional geometry of SRR either
square or circular does not have so much effect on the left-handed properties but is
govern by the dimension/ parameter of the structure. Whereas the double-ring SRR
leads to a high probability of getting the negative regions compared to the single-ring
thus is preferable when designing the metamaterial structure. Also, discussed is the used
of metamaterial structure to enhance antenna directivity using different approaches. The
structure of metamaterial also important in determining the effect on antenna directivity
as well as the frequency range where the left-handed properties is applicable. With the
optimized structure and parameters, metamaterial as antenna substrate is a great
alternative to improve the antenna performance to suite many other applications.
 CHAPTER 3

DESIGN METHODOLOGY

This chapter consists of the design methodology used for this project which
includes the description on the selected metamaterial structure, the design calculation
of the metamaterial structure and the patch antenna. This is follows by the
simulation performed using simulation tool on the metamaterial unit cell,
metamaterial array, patch antenna as well as metamaterial array on the patch antenna.

3.1 Methodology Overview

The methodology adopted in this design includes the numerical approach in

which the basic parameters are first being calculated using the corresponding formula.
The designed structure is then being simulated using a simulation tool and the simulation
results are being compared to the calculation and theoretical result. To meet the
theoretical expectation, the design is being optimized accordingly and is re-simulated.
Then the analysis is being performed based on the overall results. The methodology
described here is illustrated in Figure 3.1. The simulation performed also have a
limitation in terms of memory and time, thus simple array structure is used to represent
to approximate the result of antenna with metamaterial structure which is being
described further in the following sub-sections.
 33

Figure 3.1 : Methodology Flow

3.2 Metamaterial Structure

Metamaterial or LHM is a composite, whose properties are not determined by the

fundamental physical properties of their constituents but by the shape and distribution of
specific patterns included in them. The structure can be designed in many way, however
the fundamental concept and theory of the structure and its properties is very important
since it will determine the ability to produce the LHM behavior in the required
frequency band.

The design start with the metamaterial structure which is conventionally

composed of SRR and thin wire grids or strip wires. The periodic SRR structure
provides negative effective permeability, whereas the periodic strip wire is responsible
for the negative effective permittivity. When both structures are combined together,
they may produced a negative index material property over a certain frequency range.

The split ring resonator (SRR) is designed to meet the limitations that the
experimental setup required due to the use of the waveguide. It was printed on a FR4
Epoxy substrate with dielectric constant of 4.4. The dimensions of the substrate and the
SRR are adjusted accordingly in order to get the desired working frequency range. The
 34

SRR consists of two metallic micro strip rings with a slit (or gap) which may be
different in shape such as circular or square rings. There are several parameters that
need to be tuned including width and height of the micro strips, distance between the
rings, size of the gap, material properties of the rings, substrate and surrounding medium
in order to get the desired negative permeability property at certain frequency range.
The SRR structure is shown in Figure 3.2.

The strip wire simply a thin wire deposited on the substrate and will give rise to
the negative permittivity of the structure. The strip wire structure is shown in Figure 3.3.
The length, width and the position of the strip wire on the substrate with respect to the
SRR will have an affect to the negative index material property of the metamaterial.

Figure 3.2: SRR structure

 35

Figure 3.3 : Strip wire structure

The conventional metamaterial structure discussed in this project is comprises of

SRR and strip wire printed on the opposite sides of the substrate as shown in Figure.3.4.
The transmission through that configurations has been simulated and measured
experimentally and it is shown that at frequencies where the expected negative
permittivity and permeability to simultaneously occur, there is a transmission peak
observed, thus it has been concluded that a negative index of refraction exists.

Figure 3.4 : Metamaterial Structure

 36

3.3 Calculation of the Metamaterial Design Structure

Using conventional LHM, it is composed of the rings and the rods. The ring is
split ring resonator (SRR) which based on open ring (‘C’ shape) with axis along the
propagation direction that could provide a negative permeability. It was predicted to
exhibit the resonant magnetic response to the electromagnetic wave, polarized with H
parallel to the axis of the SRR [16]. Then the periodic array of SRR is characterized by
the effective magnetic permeability

(3.1)
μeff = 1 – Ff 2/ (f 2 – fm2 + i γm f ’)

In (3.1), fm is the resonance frequency which depends on the SRR structure (Figure
3.2(a)) as (2πfm)2 = 3Lx c2 / [π ln (2s/w1) r3]. F is the filling factor of the SRR within 1
unit cell and γm is the damping factor 2πγm = 2Lxρ/r or also known as losses of the
system, where ρ is the resistivity of the metal and c is the free space velocity of light.
Formula (3.1) assures that the real part of μeff is negative at an interval Δfm around the
resonance frequency [16]

Whereas the rods consist of thin metallic wires where its being aligned along
propagation direction which could provide a metamaterial with negative permittivity.
The thin metallic wires, acts as a high pass filter for the electromagnetic wave polarized
with E parallel to the wires. It leads to a plasma type effective permittivity.

εeff = 1 – fe2/ (f 2 + i γe f ) (3.2)

 37

2 2 2
In (3.2), fe is the electronic plasma frequency with fe = c / [2πa ln (a/r)] which
predict that the effective permittivity is negative for f < fe. By combining both SRR and
metallic wires structures, a LHM structure can be created. Here, the resulting structure
would possess negative effective refraction index in the resonance frequency interval
Δfm

The calculation of the S parameters can be obtain using the following formula

(3.3)

(3.4)

Whereas the calculation of the retrieved material parameters such as the index,
impedance as well as the permittivity and permeability can be obtain using the following
formula
Refractive index, n

(3.5)

Impedance, z

(3.6)

Permittivity and permeability

(3.7)
 38

The parameters also being adjusted or optimized accordingly by substituting

different values of metamaterial dimensions in the calculation formula above to get the
desired frequency range and to study on the effect of various dimension on the
frequency behavior.

3.4 Calculation of Patch Antenna

The antenna used in this project is a square patch printed on a ground microwave
substrate as shown in Figure 3.5. The patch antenna having attractive features such as
low profile, light weight, easy to fabricate and conformity to mounting post. However
the disadvantage of the patch antenna includes the narrow bandwidth and low gain.

Figure 3.5 : Square patch antenna structure

 39

In order to obtain the patch antenna with desired working frequency, the
following formula is use to obtain the suitable parameter.

The width (w) of the patch can be calculated as

c
w=
(ε r + 1)
2f
2
(3.8)

With c is the free space velocity of light, f is the frequency of operation, εr is the
dielectric constant and h is the height of the dielectric substrate.
The effective dielectric constant (εreff) can be determined by
−1
ε +1 εr −1 ⎡ h⎤ 2
ε reff = r + ⎢1 + 12 ⎥
2 2 ⎣ w⎦
(3.9)

The actual length of patch (L) is calculated by

L = Leff − 2ΔL
(3.10)

Whereas, the effective length of the patch (Leff) and the length extension (ΔL) can be
determine respectively using

c
Leff =
2 f ε reff
(3.11)
 40

(ε reff + 0.3)⎜ + 0.264 ⎟

⎛W ⎞
ΔL = 0.412h ⎝h ⎠
(ε reff − 0.258)⎜ + 0.8 ⎟
⎛W ⎞
⎝h ⎠
(3.12)

Finally, the ground plane parameters of the patch antenna can be calculated as
Lg = 6h + L
Wg = 6h + W
(3.13)

3.5 Simulation of the Metamaterial Unit Cell

The simulation of metamaterial structure is performed using Ansoft High

Frequency Simulator System (HFSS). For simulation, the perfect electric conductor
(PEC) boundary conditions were employed on the z-faces of the unit cell in order for the
electric field to be polarized along the strips and excite its negative permittivity behavior.
The perfect magnetic conductor (PMC) boundary conditions were used on the y-faces of
the unit cell so that the negative permeability behavior of SRR would be excited. The
waveport 1 and 2 are assigned along each of the substrate line on the x-faces. This is
illustrated in Figure 3.6
 41

Figure 3.6 : The boundary conditions & waveports for metamaterial structure
(a) PEC boundary, (b) PMC boundary, (c) Waveports

The simulations are performed on the metamaterial unit cell which is the basis of
the design, on the metamaterial unit cell arrays, patch antenna as well as metamaterial
arrays on the patch antenna. In order to obtain the metamaterial structure that exhibit the
left-handed (LHM) properties in the desired working frequency region, metamaterial
unit cell with different dimensions are simulated to see the effect of the variations on the
frequency region and the LHM properties. Besides the dimensions of the metamaterial
unit cell, SRR and strip wire dimensions are varies, the other parameters such as
substrate type which provides the dielectric constant and the substrate thickness are kept
constant.

The parametric studies on the influence of the dielectric constant,εr substrate

thickness and the thickness of the SRR and strip wire components is described by
M.Kafesaki et.al(2005). It can be summarize that the increase of the dielectric constant
by using different type of substrate resulted in the reduction of both the electric and
magnetic resonance frequencies of the SRR. Detailed quantitative analysis showed that
the dependence of magnetic response on the dielectric constant is ωm2 ∝ 1/ εr.
However, the systematic TMM studies concerning the dependence of the left-hand (LH)
peak on the dielectric constant shows that the peak frequency is inversely proportional to
 42

the square root of the dielectric constant. Thus increasing the dielectric constant cused
the LH peak to moved to the lower frequencies.

The studies also discussed on the effect of the wire position relative to the SRR,
in which it shows that the optimum position of strip wire should be on the opposite sides
of the substrate, just behind the SRR gaps. This position give a robust LH transmission.
This can be explained by considering on the way the fields generated by the SRRs and
strip wires interaction. When the SRR and strip wire are on opposite sides of the
substrate, the behavior of each component is not significantly affected by the presence of
the other since there is a little overlap between their magnetic fields.

On the other hand, the studies shows that the LH peak becomes much broader as
the SRR and wires are closer together. If the thickness of the substrate is reduced or in
another words, the SRR and strip wire are brought closer together, it will enhance the
strength of the total resonance, thus will increase the negative value of the effective
permeability as well as the effective permittivity due to the increase in the plasma
frequency. Thus reducing the thickness of the substrate allows the behavior of the
structure to make transition from RHM to LHM behavior [6]. This is because of the
stronger interaction among the SRR magnetic resonance as the broadening of the
negative permeability regime due to the increasing amplitude of the approaching SRR.

3.6 Simulation of the Metamaterial Array

After obtaining the unit cell structure with the optimized relevant component
dimensions, the array of unit cell is designed for the target working frequency in the X-
band. Using the optimized unit cell structure, it is then being duplicated to form 2x 3
array as shown in Figure 3.7. The unit cell is positioned closed together with zero
sparations between each unit cell to give rise to the periodic structure of the
 43

metamaterial. The simulation result of the array structure is then being analyzed to look
for any variation as compared to the single unit cell structure.

Figure 3.7 : The 2x3 array of metamaterial structure.

The 2 x 3 array is used since it provide the maximum number of unit cells for
this case, that can be simulated using the HFSS simulation tools due to the memory
limitation. Besides, the arrangement is also made to ensure the metamaterial array can
cope minimally with the next designed patched antenna working in the same frequency
band. Thus, the metamaterial array structure present here is to shows on any effect of
the metamaterial structure on the conventional patch antenna without emphasizing any
particular properties of interest.

Studies by Liang et.al (2006), shows that the number of unit cell used in the
metamaterial array structure give rise to the better directive properties as can be
demonstrated by the radiation pattern of the elements.
 44

3.7 Simulation of the Patch Antenna

The simulation of the patch antenna only to ensure that the structure used
provides the working frequency within the desired band as specified. The basic
dimensions and parameters of the patch antenna is based on the calculation result. Thus
the optimization of the patch antenna structure is deemed necessary in the simulation
process to ensure that the resulted gain is optimum within the required frequency band.
The structure of the patch antenna used in the simulation is shown in Figure 3.8.

Figure 3.8 : Patch antenna structure

3.8 Simulation of the Patch Antenna with Metamaterial Structure

To shows the effect of the metamaterial structure on the conventional patch

antenna, the matematerial array structure is placed on top of the patch antenna as shown
in Figure 3.9. The simulation performed only to see any variation resulted on the gain or
the frequency band of the new structure compared to the patch antenna alone.
 45

Figure 3.9 : Patch antenna with metamaterial structure

3.9 Summary

Using the conventional metamaterial structure, the design calculation is

performed to obtain the desired parameters follows by the simulation process to rectify
the result. Having obtaining the required parameters for the metamaterial unit cell and
patch antenna in the desired working frequency, the unit cell is replicated to obtain the
metamaterial array and is used to see the effect of the metamaterial structure on the
patch antenna.
 CHAPTER 4

SIMULATION RESULT AND ANALYSIS

This chapter consists of the simulation result and analysis of the result which
being performed on the metamaterial unit cell with different dimensions, the simulation
result that emphasize on the subjects of the LHM/ Negative Index Medium Properties of
the Metamaterial Unit Cell, LHM/ Negative Index Medium Properties of the
Metamaterial 2x3 Array and S parameter of the Patch Antenna with and without the
Metamaterial Structure as well as the analysis on each subject.

4.1 Metamaterial Unit Cell’s Dimension Variation

Simulation result for metamaterial unit cell dimension variation is listed in Table
4.1. The target negative frequency regions are in the S-band and X-band respectively.
The dimensions that are made varies include the length of the unit cell which is also
represent the length of the substrate (d) as well as the length of the strip wire, the width
on the SRR (w1), the width of strip wire (w2), the ring separation (s) and the SRR gap
(g). For better visualization, these dimensions are being illustrate in figure 4.1. The
dielectric constant used is 4.4, the substrate thickness is 0.25mm and the SRR and strip
wire components which made up of copper element have a thickness of 0.0017mm
 47

Figure 4.1: Metamaterial unit cell

Table 4.1: Effect of dimension variations on the frequency region

Unit cell dimensions (mm) Negative Frequency
regions (GHz)
d w1 w2 s g
Unit 1 2.5 0.2 0.14 0.3 0.3 8.75 – 10.0
Unit 2 3.0 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 6.75 – 8.5
Unit 3 20.0 1.5 1.5 1.5 3.0 ~2.0
Unit 4 20.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 3.0 ~2.5

From Table 4.1, it shows that unit cell size, d plays an important role in
determining the frequency band in which the negative properties will lies. Table 4.2
shows the summary relation of the dimension variations with respect to the magnetic and
electric responses that contribute to the value of negative frequency regions. Noted that,
by varying the dimensions in order to decrease the overall frequency response from
higher to lower frequency also result in the reduction of the resonance strength.
 48

Table 4.2: Summary Relation of Unit Cell Dimension and Frequency Response
Unit cell dimension Magnetic Electric
Response, ωm Response(plasma
frequency), ωp
SRR width (w1) ↓ ↓ -
Strip wire width (w2) ↓ - ↓
Ring separation (s) ↓ ↓ -
SRR gap (g) ↓ ↓ -
Unit size/ wire length (d) ↓ ↑ ↑

The variations as summarize in Table 4.2 can be explain using the fact that the
SRR acts as a LC circuit, with the ring acts as inductor and the open section acts as
capacitor. The transmission is affected by the SRR width as well as the combination of
changing both width and separation of SRR. SRR width affects the inductance, L of the
loop, in which smaller width means larger inductance, thus smaller magnetic response.

The ring separation on the other hand affects the capacitance between the rings,
which is also a component of total capacitance of the SRR. Therefore, reduction of s
results in a decrease of the magnetic resonance frequency. This is expected, as reduction
of s is equivalent to increase of the inter-ring capacitance (noted that ωm ∝ √LC and for
a parallel plane capacitor with separation of plates s, C ∝ 1/s) [18]. As for the SRR gaps,
the effect to the magnetic response is quite minimal. The reduction of the gaps size,
does reduce the magnetic response however still much less than the influence shows by
the variation in the ring separation.

The continuous strip wire provides the electric response of the LHM. The
simulation result shows that the plasma frequency decreases as the width of the strip
wire decreases. However, with the presence of SRR, the response becomes lower. This
is due to the fact that the SRR also respond electrically like a system of cut wires,
exhibits a resonance at frequency ωo , which can be demonstrated by closing the SRRs,
 49

thus destroying the their magnetic response.[15]. However, since the variation caused
by SRR is highly dependence on the relative position and distance of the resonance
frequency and cut-off plasma frequency, we can make the effect negligible on the
electrical response of the LHM. Thus each component can be used to control the LHM
properties independently in such a way that the used of SRR to control the magnetic
response and the strip wire to control the electrical response.

4.2 LHM/ Negative Index Medium Properties of the Metamaterial Unit Cell

Optimizing the dimensions of the metamaterial structure provides a good

guideline or reference as to select the optimized design for the desired frequency band
for required applications. In this case, the unit 1 dimensions is used to shows the
existence of the LHM properties in the X-band frequency. The simulation results shown
for the S-parameters and the retrieved material parameters of the metamaterial unit cell.

Figure 4.2 and 4.3 show the magnitude and phase of the computed S parameter
which is S11 and S21. The dip in the phase of S21, indicates the presence of a negative
index band. Figure 4.4 shows the retrieved index of the structure which confirms the
existence of the negative index band which lies between roughly 8.8GHz to 9.5GHz.
Whereas Figure 4.5 shows the retrieved impedance that roughly lies in the frequency
that is matched to that of negative index frequency. Figure 4.6 and 4.7 show the
permittivity and permeability parameters respectively. The negative permittivity
roughly lies between 8.9GHz to 9.5GHz and the negative permeability roughly lies
between 9.25GHz to 9.5GHz. Thus, it is shows that, the LHM properties exist within
9.25GHz to 9.5GHz regions, that is when both the permittivity and permeability are
simultaneously negative.
 50

Figure 4.2 : The magnitude of the simulated S parameters for unit cell

Figure 4.3 : The phase of the simulated S parameters for unit cell
 51

Figure 4.4 : The retrieved index of the unit cell

Figure 4.5 : The retrieved impedance of the unit cell

 52

Figure 4.6 : The permittivity of the unit cell

Figure 4.7 : The permeability of the unit cell

 53

The electric field pattern of the metamaterial unit cell structure is shown in figure
4.8. Here, at the magnetic resonance, the electric field has its maximum mainly at the
SRR outer ring gap and in the region between the rings. While along the direction
perpendicular to the SRR plane, it is not very much extended.

Figure 4.8 : Field pattern of metamaterial structure (E field)

4.3 LHM/ Negative Index Medium Properties of the Metamaterial 2x3 Array

Figure 4.8 shows the magnitude and phase of the simulated S parameters. As for
the unit cell structure, the dip in the phase of S21 indicates the presence of a negative
index band. Figure 4.9 shows the retrieved index, permittivity and permeability values
which show the existence of negative properties in the frequency regions of around
8.0GHz and between 10.6GHz to 11.1Ghz.
 54

Figure 4.9 : The magnitude and phase of the simulated S paramers for 2x3 array

Figure 4.10 : The retrieved material parameters for 2x3 array

For array of metamaterial structure, the difference in behavior of the single unit
cell and array of unit cells is caused by the interactions between nearest neighbour
SRRs. In a unit cell structure, the resonance region is due to an individual SRR which
result in a single peak. Whereas on the array structure, the resonance regions are a result
of both the individual SRR resonances and the interactions between nearest neighbor
 55

SRRs. Thus there is additional peaks in the phase plot which caused their LHM regions
to differ from a unit cell structure.

4.4 S parameter of the Patch Antenna with and without the Metamaterial
Structure

Figure 4.10 shows the S11 parameter of the designed patch antenna with return
loss value of -18.92dB at frequency of 9.0GHz which is within the desired X band
frequency. Figure 4.11 shows the new S11 parameter of designed antenna with
metamaterial array structure. There is a shift in the frequency regions as well as the
downshift in the S11 value. The frequency is now shift to 8.80GHz and 10.4GHz with
S11 value of -4.3dB and -7.5dB respectively.

Figure 4.11 : S11 parameter of the patch antenna

 56

Figure 4.12 : S11 parameter of the patch antenna with metamaterial structure

The simulation results indicate that the metamaterial structure has an affect to the
conventional patch antenna by shifting the frequency regions to different value as well
as affecting the S11 parameters. As far as current simulations performed, it is shown that
the metamaterial structure will be able to reduced the size of the patch antenna working
in the high frequency regions. As known, the size of the patch antenna need to be
increased in order to get a higher frequency band, however with metamaterial structure,
the frequency band can now be shifted to a higher value.

However, since there is a limitation for the metamaterial array as discussed in

section 3, the result obtained for the patch antenna with metamaterial structure cannot be
conclude without further studies being performed to see the actual effect of the
metamaterial structure on the patch antenna. Nevertheless, with reference to other
researches on this area, metamaterial structure is shown to have the capability to
enhance the performance of conventional antenna in terms of its gain and directivity.
 57

4.5 Summary

Different dimensions of the conventional metamaterial structure lead to

frequency variation of the negative index region. These dimensions affect the left-
handed behavior produce by the designed structure with reference to the structure basic
properties. The simulation result also shown that the negative index region is obtained
within certain frequency range with limited left-handed peaks for both metmaterial unit
cell and metamaterial array. Having some constraint in the simulation process, we only
can see the effect of metamaterial structure on the patch antenna in general.
 CHAPTER 5

CONCLUSION AND FUTURE WORKS

In the designing of the metamaterial structure, the parameters and dimensions of

each component plays an important role in determining the LHM properties and the
frequency regions in which the negative index lies. In most cases, it is very difficult to
obtain both negative permittivity and permeability simultaneously, however there can
exist separately over a different frequency regions. Since the influence of these
parameters are quite significant, and the fact that the negative index only exists over a
certain frequency range, a careful and high accuracy designed is expected.

However, further works can be carries to see the influence of using different
metamaterial structure on the LHM properties, instead of the conventional square or
circular SRR. Varies other geometries may also be used to see how the LHM properties
will react and how the frequency band will be affected. The other parameters that is not
discussed in details in this project can also being carry out in the future works such as
the usage of cheaper substrate and metamaterial components for cost reduction. With
varies parameters influential, it is also possible to look at the potential of the used of
metamaterial as antenna based instead of as an additional structure for conventional
antenna
 59

The size of metamaterial unit greatly determine the frequency band over which
the negative region will lies. Since it is shown that the miniature size of metamaterial
leads to the higher frequency band with stronger left-handed peak as compared to the
larger size with weaker or low left-handed peak, metamaterial is more suitable for higher
frequency applications.

Further works can be performed in order to obtain a good LHM properties

working in the lower frequency range especially in ISM band for wireless LAN
applications for example. This is an interesting area to be explore since the success in
obtaining the metamaterial structure with both negative permeability and permittivity at
lower frequency will improve the current wireless LAN applications by providing better
gain, directivity as well as may leads to the ability to reduce the size of current
conventional antenna for these applications.

Also since the effect of the metamaterial structure on the conventional antenna
cannot be conclude in this project, it is proposed that further works to be done to see the
improvement of antenna performance by using larger metamaterial array structure, the
effect to the antenna performance if using a few layer of the metamaterial structure on
the conventional antenna as well as the effect of changing the position of the
metamaterial structure on the conventional antenna.
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APPENDIX A

Double Negative Metamaterial

66
67
 68

Effective Medium Parameter

69
70
71