Space–Time-Modulated Reconfigurable Metamaterial Based on a Field-Focused Cavity for Nonreciprocal Transmission Control and Frequency Conversion

Lorentz reciprocity is a fundamental physical property limiting advanced wave propagation control. Previously, special materials and magnetic bias were used to break the reciprocity; however, the approaches are limited by the bulky and costly implementation. To achieve nonreciprocity without magnetic bias, space–time-modulated metamaterials have been investigated for far-field wave propagation control. The metamaterial can also support wave propagation based on near-field coupling between the periodically arranged unit cells, i.e., magneto-inductive waves (MIWs). Near-field wave propagation control via the metamaterial has various significant applications; nevertheless, the potential for near-field wave propagation control has not been fully explored. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate the potential of the space–time-modulated near-field metamaterial. This paper demonstrates nonreciprocal MIW propagation control using a space–time-modulated metamaterial. To achieve field manipulation, we propose a tunable unit cell suitable for creating a cavity mode at a deep subwavelength scale (∼λ/103). Spatial field modulation, achieved by breaking the translational symmetry of the unit cells, allows for the creation of reconfigurable waveguides on the metamaterial. Temporal field modulation, achieved by breaking the capacitive symmetry of the varactor, allows for direction-dependent transmission in the waveguide. This spatiotemporal modulation successfully achieves nonreciprocal wave propagation and frequency conversion, investigated under various conditions. The proposed space–time-modulated metamaterial may provide significant advances for a wide range of systems that require dynamic, nonreciprocal, near-field wave propagation control.