Electronically controlled left-handed metamaterial based on memristor/ferrite multilayer at microwaves

Abstract

The paper focuses on exploring the left-handed microwave properties of a double negative metamaterial formed by utilizing elements from two natural materials: (a) thin-layer ferrite, which exhibits effective negative permeability, and (b) thin-layer TiO2 (memristor), which exhibits effective negative permittivity. Both of these natural materials possess negative constitutive parameters within the frequency band where they exhibit left-handed properties. We have defined the conditions under which a backward wave appears in the double negative frequency band. We analyze a left-handed metamaterial (LHM) for the microwave frequency band formed by a multilayer structure from the above-mentioned materials. We have theoretically demonstrated the transparency of this LHM. Furthermore, we demonstrate the ability to control the electromagnetic properties of the metamaterial. This can be achieved not only by applying both static magnetic and static electric fields but also by solely using a static electric field. The latter is one of the main advantages of this structure for technological implementation. We discuss potential applications of the designed structure as a component of microwave electronics. The capability to control various resistance states of nanoscaled TiOX with low voltage offers further control over the properties of the left-handed metamaterial.