Compact leaky-wave components using metamaterial bilayers

Here we propose and analyze theoretically the use of metamaterial planar layers for synthesizing compact sub-wavelength leaky-wave radiators in the microwave regime. In particular, the possibility of pairing "conjugate" metamaterials in order to squeeze the dimensions of microwave components is explored here for the leaky-wave operation of an open waveguide consisting of a stack of grounded metamaterial layers. We show the salient guidance and radiation properties of the anomalous natural modes supported by these bilayered structures, giving further physical insights into the phenomenon.