On the Performance of an ENZ-Based Sensor Using Transmission Line Theory and Effective Medium Approach

Abstract

In this paper we perform an in-depth theoretical study of a sensing platform based on epsilon-near zero(ENZ) metamaterials. The structure proposed for sensing is a narrow metallic waveguide channel. An equivalent circuit model is rigorously deduced using transmission line theory, considering several configurations for a dielectric body (analyte sample) inserted within the narrow channel, showing good agreement with results obtained from numerical simulations. The transmission line model is able to reproduce even the most peculiar details of the sensing platform response. Its performance is then evaluated by varying systematically the size, position and permittivity of the analyte, and height of the ENZ channel. It is shown that the sensor is capable of detecting changes in the permittivity/refractive index or position even with deeply subwavelength analyte sizes (0.050), giving a sensitivity up to 0.03m/RIU and a figure of Merit25. The effective medium approach is evaluated by treating the inhomogeneous cross-section of the analyte as a transmission line filled with a homogeneous material.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 30, 2019
Accession Number
AD1103575

Entities

People

  • M. Beruete
  • N. Engheta
  • P. Rodriguez-ulibarri
  • V. Pacheco-pena

Organizations

  • University of Pennsylvania

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Advanced Electronics

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Agreements
  • Dielectric Permittivity
  • Electric Conductors
  • Electric Fields
  • Electromagnetic Wave Propagation
  • Engineering
  • Frequency
  • Frequency Shift
  • Group Velocity
  • Impedance
  • Metamaterials
  • Refractive Index
  • Simulations
  • Transmission Lines
  • United States
  • Wave Propagation
  • Waveguides

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Microwave Engineering.
  • Sensor Fusion and Tracking Systems.
  • Spectroscopy.

Technology Areas

  • Microelectronics