Compact Nested Hexagonal Metamaterial Sensor for High-Sensitivity Permittivity Characterization Across S and X-Band Frequencies

Abstract: This article presents a Compact Nested Hexagonal Metamaterial Sensor designed for microwave sensing to characterize material permittivity in S and X-band applications. The proposed sensor attained compact dimensions of merely 30 mm x 30 mm x 0.79 mm. This innovative design technique employs a distinctive and compact architecture with elevated electromagnetic (EM) field strength, enhancing the precision of the sensing mechanism in the microwave frequency spectrum. The design geometry and dimensions attained resonance frequencies of 3.98 GHz and 11.57 GHz, with notch depths of -13.16129 dB and -10.23024 dB, respectively. The design evolution, metamaterial properties, equivalent circuit model, and electric (E) is delineated to elucidate the stopband features at the resonant frequency. The suggested sensor attains a very high sensitivity of 9.55% in transmission mode (S21) for a permittivity range of 1 to 6. The reflection and transmission properties of the proposed CRR-based sensor are validated by simulations using the mathematical equations of the design. Furthermore, the sensor's performance is corroborated by utilizing several dielectric materials (Roger R04350B, Roger RT5880 and FR-4). The computed outcomes demonstrate alignment with the simulated results. The compact, low-profile sensor design and its excellent sensitivity for characterizing material permittivity render the suggested sensor appropriate for permittivity sensing applications.