A three-dimensional self-supporting low loss microwave lens with a negative refractive index

Abstract

Demonstrations of focusing with metamaterial lenses have predominantly featured two dimensional structures or stacks of planar elements, both limited by losses which hinder realized gain near the focal region. In this study, we present a plano-concave lens built from a 3D self-supporting metamaterial structure featuring a negative refractive index between 10 and 12 GHz. Fabricated using macroscopic layered prototyping, the lens curvature, negative index and low loss contribute to a recognizable focus and free space gains above 13 dB.