Resonance linewidth and inhomogeneous broadening in a metamaterial array

TL;DR

This paper investigates how inhomogeneous broadening affects the collective electromagnetic response of a metamaterial array, revealing conditions under which resonance persists or is destroyed, with implications for designing homogeneous metamaterials.

Contribution

It demonstrates the impact of inhomogeneous broadening on resonance behavior in asymmetric split ring metamaterials, providing insights for better control of their collective response.

Findings

Resonance persists when broadening is about half the asymmetry frequency.

Larger broadening can destroy the collective resonance.

Reduced broadening effects can help mimic homogeneous media.

Abstract

We examine the effect of inhomogeneous broadening on the collective response of a planar metamaterial consisting of asymmetric split ring resonators. We show that such a response leads to a transmission resonance that can persist when the broadening of individual meta-atom resonance frequencies is roughly one half the frequency characterizing the split ring asymmetry. We also find that larger degrees of inhomogeneous broadening can drastically alter the cooperative response, destroying this resonance. The reduced effect of cooperative response due to inhomogeneous broadening may find applications in producing metamaterial samples that more closely mimic homogeneous magneto-dielectric medium with well-defined susceptibility and permittivity.