We present a very efficient recursive method to calculate the effective optical response of nanostructured metamaterials made up of particles with arbitrarily shaped cross sections arranged in periodic two-dimensional arrays. We consider dielectric particles embedded in a metal matrix with a lattice constant much smaller than the wavelength. Neglecting retardation our formalism allows factoring the geometrical properties from the properties of the materials. If the conducting phase is continuous the low frequency behavior is metallic. If the conducting paths are nearly bloqued by the dielectric particles, the high frequency behavior is dielectric. Thus, extraordinary-reflectance bands may develop at intermediate frequencies, where the macroscopic response matches vacuum. The optical properties of these systems may be tuned by adjusting the geometry.Sketch of a nanostructured metamaterial slab with a dielectriclike or metallic-like behavior depending on the frequency of the incoming light.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.