Wave absorption control in the new designed photonic metamaterials with artificial opal

Abstract

Photonic metamaterials consisting of artificial opal with magnetic inclusions were considered, used in controllable microwave electronic devices. The analyzed structures consist of matrices of SiO2 nanospheres (diameter 200 - 400 nm) with included clusters of ferrite spinels (MnxCo0.6-xZn0.4Fe2O4, NixCo0.6-xZn0.4Fe2O4, LaxCo0.6-xZn0.4Fe2O4, NdxCo0.6-xZn0.4Fe2O4) in interspherical nanospacing (4 ÷ 7% concentration). The ellipsoidal clusters are polycrystalline, with spatial dimensions of 20 – 30 nm and grains of 5 – 12 nm. A controlled wave absorption was obtained in these high inductivity structures. Evolution of the wave attenuation coefficient, α[dB/m], in function of the applied magnetic field and particle inclusion size, for different content of the magnetic ions in the ferrite inclusion, have been determined at frequencies around the samples ferromagnetic resonance, by structural simulation. The test configuration was: sample inside the rectangular waveguide, mode TE10, in the frequency range 24 ÷ 40 GHz. The polarizing magnetic field for the ferrites was tested in the range of 0 ÷ 20 kOe and minimized by modifying the structure. The metamaterial design optimization was realized, controllable by different parameters at structure level. The ferromagnetic resonance influence on the control process was pointed out and also the particular results and effects which can be induced by the resonant behavior.