Optimization of metamaterial based subwavelength cavities for ultracompact directive antennas

Abstract

Abstract Artificial magnetic conductors (AMC) are proposed for the fabrication of subwavelength cavities in the microstrip technology. These metamaterials can simultaneously present a low phase value at reflection and a high impedance for normal incident waves over a wide frequency band. Planar cavities using AMC‐based reflectors are applicable to the design of ultracompact directive antennas. An optimized cavity structure is presently shown to provide a significant enhancement of the gain and directivity of a microstrip antenna near 10 GHz. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 48: 2573–2577, 2006; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.21996