A numerically efficient approach to metamaterial (MTM) modeling

Ever since the existence of negative refraction by metamaterial prisms was demonstrated by Pendry, Smith and others about a decade ago, the subject has received a tremendous amount of attention from many researchers around the world. A special class of MTMs, namely double negative or DNG type of artificially synthesized materials, has been used not only to design superlenses, but to also enhance the directivity of antennas, such as microstrip patch antennas (MPAs) [1-2]. In the process, the terms MTMs and DNGs have become almost synonymous; it is not uncommon to find them being used interchangeably with one another in the literature.