Enhanced Second-harmonic Generation Using Nonlinear Metamaterials

Abstract: We demonstrate a nonlinear metamaterial which enhance higher order harmonics in microwave frequency regime. Nonlinearity in the structure is introduced by adding a varactor diode in the common slit of the double split ring resonator (DSRR) design. By engineering the structure such that inner ring resonance frequency of the DSRR is twice as the outer ring resonance frequency, we have demonstrated that the second harmonic of the outer ring can be enhanced significantly. By comparing with a single ring (SRR) unit cell structure, DSRR has an enhancement factor of 70. Furthermore, we elucidate that the second harmonic signals generated by two identical double split rings interfere and we can use its constructive interference positions to construct an array of DSRRs that gives a maximum second harmonic signal with phase matching condition. When the phase matching condition occurs the enhancement factor of an array is more than the contribution of individual unit cells which proves that the enhancement is due to not only constructive interference of the second harmonic generated by individual unit cells but also due to cavity mechanism occurred in the array structure.