Negative-zero-positive metamaterial with omega-type metal inclusions

We report on a negative-zero-positive metamaterial based on an omega-type microstructure with special attention on the nonvanishing group velocity for a zero refractive index. We first investigate the dispersion characteristics by full wave analysis, by stressing the necessary conditions of equality between the electric and magnetic plasma frequencies which are characteristic of the dispersion of the effective permittivity and permeability. Also, tuning of the gapless transition frequency between the left and right-handed dispersion branches was analyzed when the permittivity of the host substrate is changed. Last, we demonstrate experimentally the balanced composite character of the dispersion by frequency and angle-resolved transmission measurements, carried out at centimeter wavelengths on slabs and wedge-type prototypes, respectively.