Broadband and low loss high refractive index metamaterials in the microwave regime

A broadband, low-loss, isotropic, high refractive index metamaterial comprising an array of close-packed cubic elements of cross-linked square metal plates is demonstrated in the microwave regime. The structuring of the cubic elements reduces the diamagnetic response exhibited by arrays of solid metal cubes, whilst maintaining the strongly enhanced permittivity arising from capacitative coupling between adjacent metal elements. The corresponding increase in refractive index can be tailored through appropriate structuring of the faces and/or spacing of the cubes. (C) 2013 American Institute of Physics. [http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4794088]