Millimeter-wave scale metamaterials

We review two metamaterial configurations, which are operating at the millimeter-wave scale, in terms of design, fabrication, and characterization. We observed both numerically and experimentally at around 100 GHz a narrow frequency band for which the metamaterial was low loss and had a negative index of refraction. We investigated flat and wedge shaped samples to support our characterization results. We analyzed the transmission band with respect to number of layers at the propagation direction and commented on the bulk nature of these metamaterials. Oblique response of the planar sample was also included in this study. Finally, we demonstrate a device, which yields a rather small angular width at the far field radiation pattern, and composed of a horn antenna and flat metamaterial slabs at the propagation direction. ©2009 IEEE.