Observation of slow-light in a metamaterials waveguide at microwave frequencies

We report an experimental observation of slow-light in the GHz microwave regime utilizing the mechanism of the degeneracy of forward and backward waves in a planar waveguide consisting of a dielectric core cladded by single-negative metamaterial. The metamaterial cladding consists of periodic arrays of metallic split-ring resonators, exhibiting an effective negative permeability. Group delay dispersions obtained from pulsed measurements are in complete agreement with theoretical predictions. (C) 2011 American Institute of Physics. [doi: 10.1063/1.3583521]