Foundations of Microwave and Optical Metamaterials

Traditional materials are limited by their natural atomic structures, but metamaterials allow us to engineer extraordinary electromagnetic properties that do not exist in nature. This course introduces you to the fascinating science of controlling light and microwaves using artificially structured media. You will gain a solid theoretical and conceptual framework to understand how to manipulate permittivity and permeability to achieve phenomena like negative refraction, cloaking, and sub-wavelength imaging. What you'll learn: - Understand the foundational electromagnetics of media with negative refractive indices. - Analyze the design of microwave metamaterials, including split-ring resonators and wire arrays. - Explore optical metamaterials, plasmonics, and the behavior of light at the nanoscale. - Examine modern metasurfaces for flat optics, beam steering, and wave-front engineering. - Investigate current applications in wireless communication, sensing, and stealth technology. You will begin with essential definitions and core electromagnetic concepts before exploring practical design paradigms, transitioning smoothly from microwave structures to optical-scale metasurfaces. This introductory course is designed for engineering students, physics enthusiasts, and researchers new to the field, requiring only a basic background in electromagnetism. Start reading today to unlock the potential of engineered materials and reshape the future of wave propagation.