Enhanced directional second harmonic radiation via nonlinear interference in 1D metamaterials

By using a one-dimensional nonlinear metamaterial in the experiment, we achieve a directional second harmonic radiation via nonlinear interference at approximately 2.5 GHz. Each meta-atom has the structure of coupled split-ring resonators and two varactors arranged parallel (symmetric) or antiparallel (antisymmetric) to each other. With an incident power of approximately  −2.7 dBm, the power of the emitted directional wave from the sample is at the scale of nanowatt. This relatively high magnitude of directional nonlinear power is the result of the 1D metamaterial abilities in exhibiting nonlinear magnetoelectric coupling, as well as supporting an electric dipole or magnetic dipole resonance within a narrow second harmonic frequency range. (paper)