Experimental verification of the bending of electromagnetic waves using metamaterials

In this study, the bending of electromagnetic waves using metamaterials in free space was demonstrated. The optical transformation approach was utilized to design the bend, and the required metamaterials are inhomogeneous and anisotropic. The corresponding parameter-reduced metamaterials were realized using nonresonant cut-wire structures, which worked over an ultrabroad bandwidth with uniform permittivities and permeabilities. A microwave horn antenna focused the electromagnetic wave into the bend. The radiation patterns of the horn with and without bend were compared. The experimental and full-wave simulation results showed that the electromagnetic waves were bent in the desired direction. (C) 2011 American Institute of Physics. [doi: 10.1063/1.3593000]