Received: 20 January 2016 Revised: 4 May 2016 Accepted: 28 July 2016

DOI: 10.1002/jnm.2188

RESEARCH ARTICLE

Metamaterial characterization by applying different boundary

conditions on triangular split ring resonator type metamaterials
Mehmet Bakır1 | Muharrem Karaaslan1 | Furkan Dincer2 | Cumali Sabah3

1
Department of Electrical and Electronics
Engineering, Iskenderun Technical University, Abstract
Iskenderun, Hatay, 31200, Turkey This study aims to demonstrate the effects of the different boundary conditions on
2
Department of Electrical and Electronics triangular split ring resonator (TSRR)‐shaped metamaterials in X band frequency
Engineering, Kilis 7 Aralık University, Kilis 79000, regime. Three different TSSR‐shaped metamaterials are designed and simulated in
Turkey
3
a certain frequency range. TSSR‐shaped metamaterials are utilized to show that
Department of Electrical and Electronics
Engineering, Middle East Technical University ‐
the use of different boundary conditions may result in completely different electro-
Northern Cyprus Campus, Kalkanli, Guzelyurt, magnetic responses. Characterization is explained by applying 5 different boundary
99738, TRNC/Mersin 10, Turkey conditions. To verify simulation results, an experimental study is realized for the
Correspondence unit cell boundary condition. Both experimental and simulation results are comply-
Cumali Sabah, Department of Electrical and
Electronics Engineering, Middle East Technical
ing with each other. For further investigation, electrical energy density and surface
University ‐ Northern Cyprus Campus, Kalkanli, current distributions are simulated and discussed.
Guzelyurt, 99738, TRNC/Mersin 10, Turkey
Email: sabah@metu.edu.tr
KE YWO RD S

boundary conditions, characterization, metamaterials

1 | IN T RO D U C T IO N inclusions is generally in the form of split ring resonator.10

Negative refraction has been found very attractive by scien-
tists because of its potential usage areas in different applica-
tions and devices. Negative refraction can be realized by
achieving simultaneously negative value of permeability
and permittivity, which was predicted by Veselago in 1968
who defined unique propagation characteristics of materials.1
Because there are no known natural materials or compounds
whose effective ε and μ value simultaneously negative, hav-
ing negative refraction is not possible for these types of mate-
rials. However, artificially manufactured materials can be
designed over a limited frequency band with negative ε and
μ value simultaneously.2,3 Single and double negative
metamaterials (MTMs) are the subclass of the artificial elec-
tron microscope (EM) structures, which have been revealed
by Smith et al in 2000;4 after that Shelby et al experimentally
verified negative refraction in 2001.5 Nowadays, the design
and manufacturing of the single and double negative struc-
tures are realized for both negative refraction and other prop-
erties as absorber, sensor, super lens, or cloaking6–9 by
utilizing current technology. Fabrication of these types of
materials is generally realized by periodic inclusion of metal-
lic wires inside a dielectric substrate. The shape of these
The interaction of metallic strips and EM fields produces a
resonance behavior due to having capacitive response, gaps
between wires, and inductive response, and also interaction
of the magnetic field with ring shaped strips. Therefore, it
is resulted with negative values of permittivity and perme-
ability. The other 2 characteristics of MTMs can be sorted
as dispersion and anisotropy. Dispersion means frequency
dependence of permittivity and permeability; anisotropy
means that the EM properties of material depend on the
direction of EM waves. Computer simulation software with
numerical calculations has been used by EM science and
community before the fabrications of the materials and exper-
imental testings. During this simulation stage, complex and
infinitely large structures can be easily simulated and investi-
gated according to the selected boundary conditions for many
structures having different shaped resonators. Scientists
studying on EM materials select and use different boundary
conditions according to their experimental testing facilities.
This study considers periodic boundary conditions
together with perfect electric (PEC)‐type or perfect magnetic
conductor (PMC)‐type boundaries in a wide‐frequency
regime as X band. These boundary conditions are applied
and discussed in the simulation of periodic MTM arrays.

Int J Numer Model. 2017;30:e2188. wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/jnm Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. 1 of 8
https://doi.org/10.1002/jnm.2188
2 of 8 BAKIR ET AL.

There are some studies that are studied by different scien- triangle rings as expected by Faraday’s law.19 Input and output
tists11–15 related with triangular shaped MTMs. In this study, ports of the simulation setup are located perpendicular to the
3 different triangular split ring resonator (TSSR)‐shaped direction of incident propagation vector k. TSSR‐shaped
MTMs are proposed. These MTMs are studied under 5 differ- MTMs and simulation setup are given in Figure 1, and the
ent boundary conditions. Furthermore, effective material applied boundary conditions are summarized in Table 1.
parameters that are retrieved by using S parameters according As shown in Table 1, 5 different boundary conditions are
to Nicolson‐Ross‐Weir Method are presented in this study. applied to 3 different MTM structures to show and discuss
Importance of effective material parameters and the applica- MTM characteristics of TSRR shaped structures. Different
tion of different boundaries are demonstrated in the rest of wave incidence directions are applied in the boundary condi-
the paper. tion 4 and boundary condition 5. Each configuration of cas-
caded TSRR structures is assumed to be placed in different
mediums that have different electric and magnetic properties.
2 | NU M E R ICA L DE S I GN A ND A NA LYSI S
To retrieve the material parameters, Nicolson‐Ross‐Weir
method is used. Nicholson and Ross realized a measurement
In this study, 3 different designs are realized to characterize
by using a configuration that is given in Figure 2 to retrieve
TSRR shaped MTMs. These designs together with the bound-
complex μ and ε.16,17
ary applications and excitations are illustrated in Figure 1.
The μ = μ0μr is the magnetic permeability, ε = ε0εr is the
First design is composed of 2 TSRRs as given in Figure 1A;
the second design is similar to the first one but the placement dielectric permittivity, d is the thickness, and Z ¼
pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
of TSSR shapes is different in the unit cell; split width is also μr =εr Z 0 is defined as impedance here. If thickness d is
chosen as 2 mm in this design, which is given in Figure 1B; assumeed to be infinite, the reflection coefficient of the
the third design is composed of 2 units where every unit has marked region can be defined as in equation 1.16,17
3 nested TSRRs, which can be seen in Figure 1C. Roger
pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
RT5870 material having a thickness of 1 mm, with a relative Z−Z 0 μr =εr −1
permittivity of 2.33 and loss tangent of 0.0005 is used as a Γ¼ ¼ pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
ffi (1)
Z þ Z0 μr =εr þ 1
substrate in all our designs. TSRRs are made of copper with
a conductivity of 5:8×107 S=m and thickness of 35 μm. Width
of the substrate is 11.43 mm, while the length is 19 mm. Cop- Impedance value for a layer that has an infinite d thick-
per inclusions’ width is 1 mm; the gap between copper inclu- ness between A and B sides can be calculated by using S11
sions and substrate is again 1 mm; split width is chosen as ve S21 coefficients as defined in Equations 2 to 5.16,17
1 mm in the first and third designs. These dimensions are par-
TABLE 1 Applied boundary conditions for the characterization of TSRR
ticularly chosen to work in X band; the operation frequency is shaped MTMs
placed between 8.2 and 12.4 GHz. MTM unit cells are
Boundary Number X Y Z
designed and numerically analyzed with a commercial EM
1 PEC PEC Open add space
simulation solver software based on finite integration tech-
2 PMC PEC Open add space
nique. The CST Microwave Studio (MWS) boundary setup
3 PMC PMC Open add space
is described in Figure 1; this array of TSSR‐shaped MTMs
4 Unit cell Unit cell Open add space
is excited by a linearly polarized incident electromagnetic
5 Unit cell Unit cell Open add space
plane wave that is parallel to the arms of TSSR‐shaped mate-
rials. By this way, surface currents are induced along the Abbreviations: PEC, perfect electric; PMC, perfect magnetic conductor.

FIGURE 1 Proposed triangular split ring resonator (TSRR)‐shaped metamaterials (MTMs): (a) first TSSR‐shaped MTM, (b) second TSSR‐shaped MTM, and
(c) third TSSR‐shaped MTM
BAKIR ET AL. 3 of 8

boundary is analytically retrieved, and the results are given

in the next section.

3 | S I M U L AT IO N S FO R
CH A RAC TER I ZAT IO N

FIGURE 2 S‐parameter measurement configuration within waveguide

The characterization of the proposed structures according to
their EM properties has significant importance because new
pffiffiffiffiffi  pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi  applications for them and the type of structures have been
z ¼ exp−jω μεd ¼ exp −jðω=cÞ μr εr d (2)
developed. Some of the methods such as frequency band,
 
ð1 þ ΓÞð1−ΓÞz 1−Γ2 z geometry, and distribution of metallic inclusions and thick-
S21 ðωÞ ¼ ¼ (3) ness of substrate have been used for characterization.18–20
1−Γ2 z2 1−Γ2 z2
Because the EM field interacts with the metallic inclusions,
ð1−z2 ÞΓ metallic inclusions placements and their distributions are
S11 ðωÞ ¼ (4)
1−Γ2 z2 very important. When electric and magnetic fields are ori-
ented in specific direction, enhanced permittivity and perme-
sffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
ð1 þ S11 Þ2 −S221 ability come out. The enhanced response occurs when the
Z¼ (5) direction of the magnetic field is normal to the surface of
ð1−S11 Þ2 −S221
the structure and the electric field is tangent to the inclu-
sions.19 The correct polarization and the distribution of the
If transmission and reflection coefficients’ sum and sub- EM field must be specified by the characterization procedure.
traction is evaluated16,17: To do so, 5 different boundary conditions are applied to the
TSRR‐shaped MTMs as explained before, and the obtained
V 1 ¼ S21 þ S11 (6) results are discussed as detailed.

V 2 ¼ S21 −S11 (7)

3.1 | Application of PEC/PEC Boundary Condition
V 1 −Γ
Z¼ (8) Characterization of the TSRR‐shaped MTMs, which are
1−ΓV 1
shown in the Figure 1 under the PEC/PEC condition, is
applied in x and y directions, which are defined in CST
Z−V 2
Γ¼ (9) MWS as Et = 0, Et = 0 in x‐axis and y‐axis while open add
1−ZV 2 space boundary is applied in z‐axis. Corresponding reflection
For an MTM that has finite thickness, kreald ≤ 1 and com- and transmission coefficients are given in Figure 3.
pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi When PEC/PEC boundaries are applied to TSSR‐shaped
plex wave number k ¼ ω εr μr =c ¼ k0 εr μr, to obtain wave
MTMs, 3 different resonance frequencies occurred in a
impedance, dielectric permittivity, and magnetic permeabil-
given frequency band, which are 9.25, 9.66, and
ity, Z ~ 1 − jkd is written16,17:
 9.16 GHz for the transmission coefficient, respectively.
1 1 þ ΓÞ Although the signal levels for reflection coefficients are
ke ð1−V 1 Þ (10)
jd 1−ΓV 1 similar, transmission coefficients are different because of
the circulating magnetic fields. All of 3 designs can be used
 
2 1−V 2 as a band stop filter in X band region for PEC/PEC bound-
μr e (11)
jk0 d 1 þ V 2 ary. To show electric energy density and surface currents at
the resonance frequencies, surface current distribution and
  electrical energy densities are analyzed and presented in
2 1−V 1
εr e (12) Figure 4. While surface currents are concentrated on the
jk 0 d 1 þ V 1 up and down side arms of the triangular split rings
according to the magnetic field direction, the electrical
pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
n¼ εr μr energy is concentrated up and down center of the TSSR‐
shaped MTMs in contrast to surface currents. Because
where εr is the effective permittivity, μr is the effective per- NRW method can effectively be used in waveguide bound-
meability, d is the thickness of the substrate, k0 is the wave ary conditions, first boundary is taken as a sample and
number, and n is the refractive index. Because Nicolson‐ effective circuit parameters, and refractive indexes are
Rose‐Weir (NRW) method can be used in waveguide bound- presented in Figure 5. As seen from figure, dielectric per-
ary conditions, effective circuit parameters for PEC/PEC mittivity (Figure 5A), magnetic permeability(Figure 5B),
4 of 8
FIGURE 4 (a) Surface current distributions, (b) electrical energy densities of the proposed triangular split ring resonator‐shaped metamaterials at the resonance
frequencies of GHz
and refractive index(Figure 5C) values for the proposed
TSSR‐shaped MTMs show sharp edges at the transmission
resonance frequencies.
3.2 | Application of PEC/PMC Boundary Condition
In this section, as PEC boundary condition is applied at the
upper and lower walls of the TSSR‐shaped MTM unit cell
that is perpendicular to the incident E vector, PMC boundary
is applied to the back and front walls of the TSSR‐shaped
MTMs that is perpendicular to the incident H vector. This
boundary condition can be defined in CST Microwave Studio
as Electric (Et = 0) and magnetic (Ht = 0). By this setup, infi-
nitely large periodic array can be simulated, which is based
BAKIR ET AL.
FIGURE 3 Reflection and transmission coeffi-
cients of the triangular split ring resonator
(TSSR)‐shaped metamaterials under PEC/PEC
boundary
on the imaging effects of the PEC and PMC boundaries. It
is well known that the image of a current element flowing
perpendicular to the PEC boundary is caused by imaging
effects. Because of imaging effects, simulated unit cell shows
unique properties, which is shown in Figure 6.
Resonance frequencies of the TSSR‐shaped MTMs are
found as 11.5, 9.75 , and 11.5 GHz, respectively. Transmis-
sion coefficients show different characteristics because of
induced magnetic fields on triangular split rings resonator.
Because third TSSR‐shaped MTM have nested triangular
shapes, the induced magnetic fields decrease on resonators,
which results with a single resonance. To clarify the transmis-
sion characteristics of the proposed TSSR‐shaped MTMs,
numerical simulation for surface current densities in a given
BAKIR ET AL.
FIGURE 5 Real of dielectric permittivity, permeability, and refractive
index for triangular split ring resonator (TSSR)‐shaped metamaterials
TSSR‐shaped MTMs is studied. Figure 7A,C,E confirms the
presence of circulating currents; electrical energy densities
reveal the mirror imaging effects because of PEC boundary
conditions, which can be seen in Figure 7B,D,F.
FIGURE 6 Transmission and reflection coeffi-
cient for PEC/PMC boundary. TSSR, triangular
split ring resonator
5 of 8
3.3 | Application of PMC/PMC Boundary
Perfect magnetic conductor boundary can be defined as
n x H = 0 21 to demonstrate the transmission and reflection
characteristics of TSSR‐shaped MTMs. PMC/PMC boundary
condition is applied both in x and y directions. As seen from
Figure 8, transmission and reflection characteristics are dif-
ferent in these boundary conditions. Reflection resonance fre-
quencies are 8.46, 12.34, 8.46, and 11.85 GHz while the
transmission resonance frequencies are 11.60, 11.64, 9.01,
and 10.57 GHz, for TSSR‐shaped MTMs, respectively.
PMC/PMC boundary condition shows completely different
characteristics from the other boundary conditions. Under
PMC/PMC boundary conditions, only third TSSR‐shaped
MTM shows double resonance property in X band.
3.4 | Application of Unit Cell Boundary
In this section, instead of using PEC/PMC boundary, which is
explained in the previous section, unit cell boundary applica-
tion usage is explained. In this case, TSSR‐shaped MTMs
periodically repeated along the x‐axis and y‐axis, which is
given in Figure 9A. The distance between 2 unit cells in x‐axis
(d parameter in Figure 9A) is 12 mm. As seen from Figure 9B,
no resonance occurred in reflection for the first and second
TSSR‐shaped MTM. Although the resonance frequency of
the third TSSR‐shaped MTM in reflection is close to PEC/
PMC boundary resonance, transmission resonance is
different. To search the effects of distance between unit cells
(d parameter), simulation study is realized for the third
TSSR‐shaped MTM. As seen from Figure 9C, reflection
coefficient does not change as the distance between unit cells
in x‐axis, but transmission coefficient is affected from the dis-
tance as presented in Figure 9D. Resonance frequencies of the
array shift to the lower frequencies as the distance is increased
because of the mutual capacitance of unit cells.
6 of 8 BAKIR ET AL.

FIGURE 7 Triangular split ring resonator‐shaped metamaterial’s surface current and electrical energy densities at the transmission resonance frequencies

FIGURE 8 Reflection and transmission coeffi-

cient of triangular split ring resonator (TSSR)‐
shaped metamaterials under PMC/PMC boundary:
(a) reflection coefficient and (b) transmission
coefficient

FIGURE 9 Reflection and transmission coefficient of triangular split ring resonator (TSSR)‐shaped metamaterials under unit cell boundary: (a) numerical
setup and reflection coefficient; (b) transmission coefficient, effects of distance on reflection, and transmission for the third TSSR‐shaped metamaterial;
(c) reflection, and (d) transmission
BAKIR ET AL. 7 of 8

3.5 | Application of Unit Cell Boundary Conditions for
Different Wave Incidence
In this section, TSSR‐shaped MTMs are verified experimen-
tally by using different wave incidence. In this situation,
resonators are placed in z‐axis, and wave is applied through
z‐axis. For unit cell boundary, proposed MTM structures
are periodically repeated in along the x‐axis and y‐axis.
Resulting effective MTM simulation and experiment setup
together with experimental setup are given in Figure 10.
Simulation and experimental results for unit cell bound-
ary are presented in Figure 11. While Figure 11A‐C show
the reflection characteristics of TSSR‐shaped MTMs in unit
cell boundary for a given setup, Figure 11D‐F show transmis-
sion characteristics. Distinct magnetic resonances and differ-
ent filter characteristics are displayed for the proposed
structures when it is compared with the other boundary con-
ditions. Simulation and experimental results for reflection
and transmission parameters are complying with each other;
the small difference is caused by the calibration error and
testing environment.
Reflection coefficients of the first and second proposed
TSSR‐shaped designs are similar, and no resonance occurred
in the given frequency band. However, the third TSSR‐shaped

FIGURE 10 Application of unit cell boundary conditions to cascaded triangular split ring resonator‐shaped metamaterials for (a) simulation setup, (b) one of
the produced samples, and (c) experimental setup

FIGURE 11 Simulation and experimental measurement of proposed triangular split ring resonator‐shaped metamaterials. Reflection coefficient of (a) first, (b)
second, and (c) third designs. Transmission coefficient of the (d) first, (e) second, and (f) third designs
8 of 8
MTM shows a resonance at the end of X band. Transmission
resonance frequencies of the first, second, and third MTM are
10.76, 11.56, and 9.96 GHz, respectively.
4 | C O NC LUS I O N
In this paper, TSRR‐shaped MTM arrays are simulated and
analyzed as detailed according to different boundary condi-
tions by using full‐wave 3D EM solver. In addition, an exper-
imental study is realized for the comparison of the numerical
results. Experimental study covers only unit cell boundary
condition because of laboratory capabilities. The ε , μ , and η
parameters are retrieved and presented by using Nicolson‐
Ross‐Weir method. EM response of 3 TSRR‐shaped MTMs
shows completely different characteristics according to the
boundary conditions applied to them. Another important fea-
ture of these structures is that they have different filtering
characteristics. The results showed that the proposed struc-
tures can be used in band‐stop and band‐pass filter applica-
tions and so on.
AC KNOWLEDGEMENTS
The authors, M.K. and M.B., acknowledge the support of
TUBITAK under the Projects No. 114E295. We appreciate
all the efforts of editor and reviewers for valuable reviews
and contributions to our study.
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How to cite this article: Bakır M, Karaaslan M,
Dincer F, Sabah C. Metamaterial characterization by
applying different boundary conditions on triangular
split ring resonator type metamaterials. Int J Numer
Model. 2017;30:e2188. https://doi.org/10.1002/jnm.2188