Resonant absorption of electromagnetic waves by an induced inhomogeneity in a liquid metamaterial

Abstract

In this study, we consider the scattering of a plane electromagnetic wave on a cylindrically inhomogeneous distribution of meta-atoms in a liquid metamaterial. The distribution inhomogeneity appears naturally as a result of the application of an electric potential to an electrode immersed in the liquid metamaterial, which leads to the appearance of inhomogeneity in the effective permittivity of such a medium. Consequently, in the considered type of metamaterial, the concentration-dependent effective permittivity can become negative in some region of space. In the vicinity of the interface between positive and negative permittivity, the behavior of the electromagnetic wave becomes singular, giving rise to effects such as resonant absorption, resonant scattering, and shielding of the central region. These effects can be controlled in real time by changing the applied electric potential and thus rearranging the liquid metamaterial.