Novel microwave devices using tunable negative index metamaterials and ferrites

Next generation microwave devices require to be multifunctional for efficient, cost effective operation in light weight, low volume structures. A miniature tunable negative index metamaterial phase shifter and an ultra wideband phased array antenna have been designed using ferrite materials. Negative permeability ferrite material in combination with negative permittivity of plasmonic wires produces a tunable negative refractive index metamaterial (TNIM). The TNIM shows a phase shift with a figure of merit of nearly 180° / kOe o of applied magnetic field. Investigation of loss in X- and Q-band TNIM reveals that high frequency loss is more due to ferrite quality rather that the design of the TNIM. The miniature, 10:1 bandwidth current sheet phased array antenna is designed using magnetic ferrite as absorber.