A split-ring resonator (SRR) is a component of a Negative index metamaterial (NIM), also known as Double negative metamaterials (DNG) or Left-handed medium (LHM). It also component of other types of metamaterial such as Single Negative metamaterial (SNG). SRRs are also used for research in Terahertz metamaterials, Acoustic metamaterials, and Metamaterial antennas. A single cell SRR has a pair of enclosed loops with splits in them at opposite ends. The loops are made of nonmagnetic metal like copper and have a small gap between them. The loops can be concentric, or square, and gapped as needed.
A magnetic flux penetrating the metal rings will induce rotating currents in the rings, which produce their own flux to enhance or oppose the incident field (depending on the SRRs resonant properties). This field pattern is dipolar. Due to splits in the rings the structure can support resonant wavelengths much larger than the diameter of the rings. This would not happen in closed rings. The small gaps between the rings produces large capacitance values which lower the resonating frequency, as the time constant is large. The dimensions of the structure are small compared to the resonant wavelength. This results in low radiative losses, and very high quality factors.
At frequencies below the resonant frequency, the real part of the magnetic permeability of the SRR becomes large (positive), and at frequencies higher than resonance it will become negative. This negative permeability can be used with the negative dielectric constant of another structure to produce negative refractive index materials.
In 1967 a paper was published that was written by Victor G. Veselago. In a straightforward manner he stated that ε (permittivity) as a dielectric constant and µ (magnetic permeability) "are the fundamental characteristic quantities which determine the propagation of electromagnetic waves in matter." Furthermore, these quantities determine the index of refraction "n". He realized, that materials with simultaneous negative values for ε and µ can exist within the laws of physics, and that these substances have some properties different from materials with positive values for ε and µ. Veselago described the unusual consequences of such a left-handed substance; a refraction that is reversed, an inversion of the Doppler and Cerenkov effects, the vectors E, H, and k occur as a left-handed set, a sign change of the group velocity, bi-concave and bi-convex lenses change roles, and the reversal of radiation pressure to radiation tension. In other words, dramatically different propagation characteristics.[3]
Thirty years later physicists would agree when practical structures that exhibit negative values for ε,µ, and n were fabricated and demonstrated in the year 2000. These are called electromagnetic metamaterials, and the first of these used a nested split ring resonator design and are still in use today for research. (see illustration at the beginning of this article). However, the research has gone from negative values for ε,µ, and n in the microwave - gigahertz range up to terahertz and visible frequencies.[3]
Periodic configurations of the split-ring resonator is described as a composite at times, and homogeneous material, at other times. The view of homogeneous or composite depends on the discussion underway. The composite description is employed when discussing the individual components of the medium, above the atomic level. The original purpose of defining permittivity, ε, and permeability, µ was to support a homogeneous view of an electromagnetic medium. In this view, the contents of the cell (split-ring resonator and conducting wire) will define the system wide response of ε, and µ. The electromagnetic wave will not detect an internal structure smaller than the wavelength, and the micro-structure is then described by effective permittivity ( ε-eff) and effective permeability (µ-eff), which are electromagnetic constituents of a homogeneous material.[4]
The SRR is designed to mimic the magnetic response of atoms, only on a much larger scale. Also, as part of periodic composite structure these are designed to have a stronger magnetic coupling than is found in nature. The larger scale allows for more control over the magnetic response, while each unit is smaller than the radiated electromagnetic wave. SRRs are much more active than ferromagentic material found in nature. The pronounced magnetic response in such lightweight materials demonstrates an advantage over heavier, naturally occurring materials. Each unit can be designed to have its own magnetic response. The response can be enhanced or lessened as desired. In addition, the overall effect reduces power requirements.[4]
There is a variety of split-ring resonators - rod-split-rings, nested split-rings, single split rings, deformed split-rings, spiral split-rings, and extended S-structures. The variations of split ring resonators have achieved different results, including smaller and higher frequency structures. The research which involves some of these types are discussed throughout the article.[3]
To date (December 2009) the capability for desired results in visible spectrum has not been achieved. However, in 2005, it was noted that, physically, a nested circular split-ring resonator must have an inner radii of 30 to 40 nanometers for success in the mid-range of the visible spectrum.[3]
Microfabrication and nanofabrication techniques utilize direct laser beam writing or electron beam lithography, and this depends on the desired resolution.[3]
Split-ring resonators (SRR) are one of the most common elements used to fabricate metamaterials.[6] Split-ring resonators are non-magnetic materials, which are usually fabricated from circuit board material to create metamaterials.[7]
At first a single SRR looked like a ring with small segment removed which results in a "C" shape, on fiberglass, printed circuit board material.[6][7] In this type of configuration it is actually two concentric bands of non-magnetic conductor material.[6] There is one gap in each band placed 180° relative to each other.[6] The gap in each band gives it the distinctive "C" shape, rather than a totally circular or square shape.[6][7] Then multiple cells of this double band configuration are fabricated onto circuit board material by an etching technique and lined with copper wire strip arrays are added.[7] After processing, the boards are cut and assembled into an interlocking unit.[7] It is constructed into a periodic array with a large number of SRRs.[7]
There are now a number of different configurations that use the SRR nomenclature.
A periodic array of SRRs was used for the first actual demonstration of a negative index of refraction.[7] For this demonstration, square shaped SRRs, with the lined wire configurations, were fabricated into a periodic, arrayed, cell structure.[7] This is the substance of the metamaterial.[7] Then a metamaterial prism was cut from this material.[7] The prism experiment demonstrated a negative index of refraction for the first time in the year 2000; the paper about the demonstration was submitted to the journal Science on January 8, 2001, accepted on February 22, 2001 and published on April 6, 2001.[7]
Just before this prism experiment, Pendry et al. was able to demonstrate that a three-dimensional array of intersecting thin wires could be used to create negative values of ε. In a later demonstration, a periodic array of copper split-ring resonators could produce an effective negative μ. In 2000 Smith et al. were the first to successfully combine the two arrays and produce a LHM which had negative values of ε and μ for a band of frequencies in the GHz range.[7]
SRRs were first used to fabricate left-handed metamaterials for the microwave range,[7] and several years later for the terahertz range.[8] By 2007, experimental demonstration of this structure at microwave frequencies has been achieved by many groups.[9] In addition, SRRs have been used for research in acoustic metamaterials.[10] The arrayed SRRs and wires of the first Left-handed metamaterial were melded into alternating layers.[11] This concept and methodology was then applied to (dielectric) materials with optical resonances producing negative effective permittivity for certain frequency intervals resulting in "photonic bandgap frequencies".[10] Another analysis showed Left Handed Material to be fabricated from inhomogeneous constituents, which yet results in a macroscopically homogeneous material.[10] SRRs had been used to focus a signal from a point source, increasing the transmission distance for near field waves.[10] Furthermore, another analysis showed SRRs with a negative index of refraction capable of high-frequency magnetic response, which created an artificial magnetic device composed of non-magnetic materials (dielectric circuit board).[7][10][11]
The resonance phenomena that occurs in this system is essential to achieving the desired effects.[9]
SRRs also exhibit resonant electric response in addition to their resonant magnetic response.[11] The response, when combined with an array of identical wires is averaged over the whole composite structure which results in effective values, including the refractive index.[12] The original logic behind SRRs specifically, and metamaterials generally was to create a structure, which imitates an arrayed atomic structure only on a much larger scale.
In research based in metamaterials, and specifically negative refractive index, there are different types of split-ring resonators. Of the examples mentioned below most all of them have a gap in each ring. In other words, with a double ring structure, each ring has a gap.[13]
There is the 1-D Split-Ring Structure with two square rings, one inside the other. One set of cited "unit cell" dimensions would be an outer square of 2.62 mm and an inner square of 0.25 mm. 1-D structures such as this are easier to fabricate compared with constructing a rigid 2-D structure.[13]
The Symmetrical-Ring Structure is another classic example. Described by the nomenclature these are two rectangular square D type configurations, exactly the same size, laying flat, side by side, in the unit cell. Also these are not concentric. One set of cited dimensions are 2 mm on the shorter side, and 3.12 mm on the longer side. The gaps in each ring face each other, in the unit cell.[13]
The Omega Structure, as the nomenclature describes, has an Ω-shaped ring structure. There are two of these, standing vertical, side by side, instead of laying flat, in the unit cell. In 2005 these were considered to be a new type of metamaterial. One set of cited dimensions are annular parameters of R = 1.4 mm and r = 1 mm, and the straight edge is 3.33 mm.[13]
Another new metamaterial in 2005 was a coupled “S” shaped structure. There are two vertical "S" shaped structures, side by side, in a unit cell. There is no gap as in the ring structure, however there is a space between the top and middle parts of the S and space between the middle part and bottom part of the S. Furthermore, it still has the properties of having an electric plasma frequency and a magnetic resonant frequency.[13][14]
Other types of split-ring resonators are the spiral resonator with 8 loops. broadside coupled split-ring resonator (BC-SRR). Two-layer multi spiral resonator (TL-MSR), the broad-side coupled spiral resonator with four turns, the open split-ring resonator (OSRR), and the open complementary split-ring resonator (OCSRR). Transmission line configurations include SRR-based CRLH (composite right-left-handed) transmission line and its equivalent compliment.[15]
On May 1, 2000 it was reported that an array of split ring resonators was combined with an array of conducting wires to achieve negative propagation of electromagnetic waves in the microwave region.
The splits in the ring allow the SRR unit to achieve resonance at wavelengths much larger than the diameter of the ring. The unit is designed to generate a large capacitance, lower the resonant frequency, and concentrate the electric field. Combining units creates a design as a periodic medium. Furthermore, the multiple unit structure has strong magnetic coupling with low radiative losses.[16]
Depending on the number of splits and the number of rings resonant frequency will vary. Also as capacitors are added across the splits, this also affects the resonant frequency. The addition of capacitors can create a tunable medium. The geometry of the SRRs is also studied to note its relationship to the resonant frequency. These variations, along with testing veractors, also help to determine the nonlinear response in some cases.[17][18][19]
Towards 3D electromagnetic metamaterials in the THz range.[20]
Negative index materials can be fabricated using other configurations such as periodic metallic crosses, or a swiss roll [21][22][23][24]
Permeability for one wavelength of the visible spectrum at 780 nm.[25]
Magnetic resonance across the visible spectrum (nanostripts)[26][27]
Ates, Damla; Cakmak, Atilla Ozgur; Colak, Evrim; Zhao, Rongkuo; Soukoulis, C. M.; Ozbay, Ekmel (2010). "Transmission enhancement through deep subwavelength apertures using connected split ring resonators" (Free PDF download). Optics Express 18 (4): 3952. doi:10.1364/OE.18.003952. PMID 20389408. http://esperia.iesl.forth.gr/~ppm/PHOME/publications/OE_18_3952_2010.pdf.