physical interpretation of metamaterials

Hi all,

I have started reading about metamaterials recently and I would like to know how to physically interpret metamaterial properties? I would also like to know whether it is enough, if we plot the negative epsilon and negative mu of the material from the S parameters data? Is there any other way to say, that the material is acting like a Double negative material?

With Regards,
MM_DEVILS

The double mu and eps is the tell-tale sign of a left-handed material, but there can be other clues. Phase will be "lost" instead of "accumulated" after propagating through a left-handed material. the phase velocity (or apparent direction of the waves) will appear to be backward. This is a consequence of "losing" phase. Refraction will likely be in the opposite direction you would otherwise expect.

On another note, it can be a little misleading to compute "effective" mu and eps from the S-matrix. These properties are valid for just one frequency, one polarization, and one angle of incidence. If any of these change, the mu and eps can change significantly. Remember, you not only have the loss and dispersion of the underlying materials, but you have the loss and dispersion of the resonance giving you negative mu and eps.

-tip