Ultra-compact planoconcave zoned metallic lens based on the fishnet metamaterial

A 1.5λ0-thick planoconcave zoned lens based on the fishnet metamaterial is demonstrated experimentally at millimeter wavelengths. The zoning technique applied allows a volume reduction of 60% compared to a full fishnet metamaterial lens without any deterioration in performance. The structure is designed to exhibit an effective refractive index n = −0.25 at f = 56.7 GHz (λ0 = 5.29 mm) with a focal length FL = 47.62 mm = 9λ0. The experimental enhancement achieved is 11.1 dB, which is in good agreement with simulation and also with previous full fishnet metamaterial lenses and opens the door for integrated solutions.