Accurate modelling of left-handed metamaterials using a finite-difference time-domain method with spatial averaging at the boundaries

The accuracy of finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) modelling of left-handed metamaterials (LHMs) is dramatically improved by using an averaging technique along the boundaries of the LHM slabs. The material frequency dispersion of the LHMs is taken into account using auxiliary differential equation (ADE) based dispersive FDTD methods. The dispersive FDTD method with averaged permittivity along the material boundaries is implemented for a two-dimensional (2D) transverse electric (TE) case. A mismatch between analytical and numerical material parameters (e. g. permittivity and permeability) introduced by the time discretization in FDTD is demonstrated. The expression of numerical permittivity is formulated and it is suggested to use corrected permittivity in FDTD simulations in order to model LHM slabs with their desired parameters. The influence of the switching time of the source on the oscillation of field intensity is analysed. It is shown that there exists an optimum value that leads to fast convergence in simulations.