Low frequency plasmonic state and negative permittivity spectra of coagulated Cu granular composite materials in the percolation threshold

Abstract

We have studied the relative complex permittivity (εr = εr′- iεr″) of copper granular composite materials containing coagulated Cu particles in the microwave range as well as the electrical conductivity. The insulator to metal transition was observed at the percolation threshold φc = 16.0 vol. %. The enhancement of permittivity in the insulating state can be described by the Effective Cluster Model. Above the percolation threshold φc, it was found that the Cu granular composites show negative permittivity spectra below a characteristic frequency f0 indicating the low frequency plasmonic state. Characteristic frequency tends to increase with particle content.