Electric and magnetic resonances in symmetric pairs of split ring resonators

Orientation of the gap of a split ring resonator determines whether the resonance is an electric or magnetic response. When the gap of a split ring resonator is parallel to the incident E-field, an electric resonance is excited, and when the gap is perpendicular to the E-field, a magnetic resonance is excited. In this paper, we show that strong coupling between adjacent symmetric split ring resonators can give rise to dual electric and magnetic resonances if the intercell spacing is small enough. By varying the interparticle spacing within a unit cell, we can position the dual resonances as desired. Inverting the simulated reflection and transmission coefficients of a periodic slab of symmetric pairs of split ring resonators, the permittivity and permeability can be extracted and are shown to result in negative properties at resonance. Through a careful analysis of the extracted and Lorentz model fits of the permittivity and permeability, together with the simulated S-parameters, we have established a clear guideline for identifying electric and magnetic resonances. We also present measurement data that agree well with our simulated data. Applications of this design to band-pass filters and microstrip antenna substrates are envisaged. (C) 2009 American Institute of Physics. [doi: 10.1063/1.3236513]