Focusing effect of a metamaterial slab on the radiation pattern produced by a patch antenna

We present experimental results of the transmission coefficient of a metamaterial slab and the effect of the metamaterial on the radiation pattern of an antenna placed near the slab in the frequency range close to the plasma frequency of the slab. The metamaterial focuses the radiation from the patch antenna within a narrow cone close to the slab's normal. We give a new simple explanation of the focusing effect based on the index of refraction of the metamaterial being less than one and the attenuation of electromagnetic waves within the metamaterial slab.

► We study experimentally the effect of the metamaterial slab on the directivity of an antenna placed near the slab in the frequency range close to the plasma frequency of the slab.
► The metamaterial focuses the radiation from the patch antenna within a narrow cone close to the slab's normal.
► We present a new and simple explanation of the focusing effect based on the index of refraction of the metamaterial being less than one and the attenuation of electromagnetic waves within the metamaterial slab.
► We discuss the conditions needed to improve the directivity of a patch antenna located near the metamaterial slab.