Zero-permeability materials: an artifact of losses in LHM left-handed media

The physical properties of a zero-permeability material (or Z/spl mu/M) are evaluated through analysis of electromagnetic transmission using realistic parametric conditions for artificial left-handed media (LHM) or negative index materials. Analysis demonstrates that LHM and Z/spl mu/M share the same transmission band, and that the material´s predominant refractive character strongly depends on the dielectric losses. The material converts from pure LHM to Z/spl mu/M by increasing the dielectric loss. The Z/spl mu/M is a special limiting case of a LHM for high dielectric losses and small refractive index.