Wave properties of computational TLM models of metamaterials with negative refractive index

摘要

We derive and compare the wave properties of transmission-line-based negative refractive index metamaterials and their transmission line matrix (TLM) models. The TLM networks are computational replica of reactively loaded periodic structures that support backward waves and constitute artificial media with negative refractive index. After a brief review of the TLM algorithms for three types of nodes, namely the 2D Shunt Node, the 3D Expanded (or Distributed) Node, and the 3D Symmetrical Condensed Node, we formulate and solve the general dispersion equations in 2D and 3D metamaterials based on these nodes. We compare the results with the dispersion properties of both idealized homogeneous metamaterials and of L-C loaded periodic transmission line structures that have the same cell size as their computational TLM counterparts.