This work proposes a substrateless ultrathin metamaterial for converting an incident electromagnetic (EM) wave from linear to a circular state of polarization within the frequency range of 10 to 14 GHz. Owing to the absence of a substrate, the polarization converter can realize a remarkable ultra-thin thickness of approximately 400 times smaller than the central working wavelength. In addition, simulated results demonstrate its capability of achieving a 3 dB axial ratio bandwidth of 34.5% at normal incidence and more than 25% for an oblique incidence angle up to 40 degrees. The metamaterial experimental transmission coefficients for horizontal and vertical polarized EM fields show excellent agreement with the simulated results. The metasurface, which comprises of a self-complementary L-shaped structure, is designed based on Babinet's principle, and fabricated using an advanced method for precise cutting of metal.
Luneburg lenses are able to form perfect focus that is free of aberration. Because of the varying refractive index throughout the lens, incoming electromagnetic waves can travel in a curved path and be guided to focus at the back of the lens. The implementation of Luneburg lenses is often difficult due to the challenges in creating a medium with varying refractive index using normal materials. This problem can be overcome with the use of gradient index metamaterials. We report a two dimensional Luneburg lens made of gradient index metamaterials. It consists of 17 concentric shells with etched patterns on a printed circuit board working in microwave X band frequency. The broad properties of the Luneburg lens are then discussed.
We present a device that is designed with varying permittivity ε(r) such that an electromagnetic wave in the K-band of the microwave regime entering it will bend inward towards the core. The core is made of silicon composites. We follow the distribution formula of the permittivity for the device derived by Narimanov and Kildishev using the optical-mechanical analogy. The diameter of the device is 14 cm, and it is constructed out of 21 rings of two different types of etched printed circuit boards, as well as dielectric powders as adding filling materials. The experimental wave intensity profile, based on parallel plate measurements for the cases where the incident plane wave is slightly displaced to the top of the center of the device and the case of on center incidence, are presented and discussed. In spite of some mismatch of the core and metamaterial structures of the device found, approximately 80% of the wave still manages to reach the core of the device and gets trapped and absorbed. Broadband properties of the device are also investigated.