Author

Tyler Midas

Date of Award

December 2024

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Electrical Engineering

First Advisor

Ryan Adams

Abstract

This thesis demonstrates the development of a flat metamaterial lens intended to enhance antenna directivity in RF applications. Development and evaluation was performed with ANSYS HFSS, where a theoretical convex lens model was developed and used as a basis for unit cell refractive indices of the metamaterial lens. The unit cell demonstrated in this study leverages the properties of a nested split-ring resonator merged with a center column. Adjusting the rings allow for refractive index optimization and effective beam focusing. The work presented also provides a 2x2 antenna array with a feed network, which enables the future work of bench testing the lens as a system. The array also demonstrates lens performance in a high-directivity source application. Key findings support a directivity improvement of a single patch antenna from 4.44dB to 7.73dB. This thesis emphasizes the lens’s minimalist and application-friendly solution to traditional low-directivity limitations.

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