The dielectric strength of high frequency metamaterial composites

Metamaterial composites with both ferroelectric and ferromagnetic phases have promising applications in the field of applied electromagnetics and directed energy. This metamaterial, which integrates the dielectric-ferromagnetic properties into a single composite, was synthesized using a hydrothermal process combining barium hydroxide (Ba(OH)₂), titanium dioxide (TiO₂), and nickel-zinc ferrites. The product of this reaction forms a shell of barium titanate around the ferrite particles. The dielectric strength of the resulting metamaterial has been tested and will be reported. The material was pressed with a binder to form discs for breakdown testing. The dielectric and magnetic losses have been measured with an airline waveguide, and the high voltage breakdown of the material was determined using DC measurements as well as nanosecond pulses from a PA-80, 100 KV pulser. The breakdown field of the core-shell material is compared to other known insulator materials.