A DC magnetic metamaterial

TL;DR

This paper introduces the first experimental realization of a non-resonant, zero-frequency magnetic metamaterial using superconducting plates, enabling new applications like magnetic field screening.

Contribution

It presents a novel non-resonant magnetic metamaterial operating at zero frequency, based on superconducting plates, with experimental validation of its properties.

Findings

Strong, adjustable diamagnetic response observed

Effective permeability matches theoretical predictions

Potential for non-intrusive magnetic field screening

Abstract

Electromagnetic metamaterials are a class of materials which have been artificially structured on a subwavelength scale. They are currently the focus of a great deal of interest because they allow access to previously unrealisable properties like a negative refractive index. Most metamaterial designs have so far been based on resonant elements, like split rings, and research has concentrated on microwave frequencies and above. In this work, we present the first experimental realisation of a non-resonant metamaterial designed to operate at zero frequency. Our samples are based on a recently-proposed template for an anisotropic magnetic metamaterial consisting of an array of superconducting plates. Magnetometry experiments show a strong, adjustable diamagnetic response when a field is applied perpendicular to the plates. We have calculated the corresponding effective permeability, which agrees well with theoretical predictions. Applications for this metamaterial may include non-intrusive screening of weak DC magnetic fields.