Composite Right/Left-Handed Metamaterial Transmission Lines Based on Complementary Split-Rings Resonators and Their Applications to Very Wideband and Compact Filter Design

In this paper, we discuss in detail the transmission characteristics of composite right/left-handed transmission lines based on complementary split-rings resonators. Specifically, the necessary conditions to obtain a continuous transition between the left- and right-handed bands (balanced case) are pointed out. It is found that very wide bands can be obtained by balancing the line. The application of this technique to the design of very wideband and compact filters is illustrated by means of two examples. One of them is based on the hybrid approach, where a microstrip line is loaded with complementary split-rings resonators, series gaps, and grounded stubs; the other one is a bandpass filter, also based on a balanced line, but in this case, by using only complementary split-rings resonators and series gaps (purely resonant-type approach). As will be seen, very small dimensions and good performance are obtained. The proposed filters are useful for ultra-wideband systems.