Synthesis of zero-index metamaterial slabs using genetic algorithms

Zero-index metamaterials (ZIMs) have been receiving a lot of recent attention due to a variety of novel applications that could be realized by exploiting their unique electromagnetic properties. Volumetric ZIM realizations reported in the literature include an electromagnetic bandgap structure and a frequency selective surfaces approach. This paper presents a ZIM design methodology that achieves a desired intrinsic impedance characteristic in addition to the zero refractive index condition.