Metamaterials refer to such synthetic structure that comprises building blocks smaller than the light wavelengths which they are responsible for manipulating.
Recently a research team took the help of these metamaterials to demonstrate that their reflectors can channel light resulting in a large amount of data transmission in a single frequency. The new property, referred to as full-duplex nonreciprocity, would help advance Next Generation Wireless Communication Market as it can double the capacity of current wireless networks. The team is optimistic that the technology is relevant enough to be adopted within three to five years.
The material used for the research consists of repeating unit cells that are around 20 millimetres in size. They collectively form one homogenous object known as a metasurface for more significant wavelengths of light like microwaves. This is done to enable the transport of cell phone signals and reflect off the metasurface displaying the property of nonreciprocity.
Researchers illustrated their work through the concept of the car’s rare-view mirrors. They stated that while an individual is driving and looks into the rear-view mirror, he can see the driver behind. Plus, that driver can also see the individual. This is because light bounces off and follows a similar path backwards. The unusual aspect of nonreciprocity is that the reflected angle and the incident angle are not equal. Denoting that the backward path for the waves is different, thus one can see behind, but that person cannot see in front.
Further, the metamaterials facilitate steering and amplifying incoming beams – a valuable property for several applications like satellite communications, medical imaging, nascent cloaking and solar panels technology. Once the ability to steer the reflective beam is added, the novel intelligent metasurfaces would completely revolutionize the wireless communication sector.
Currently, 5-G networks only showcase “half-duplex” links. The network uses somewhat distinct frequencies or even the same ones at different times to evade interference. The time delay is small enough to go unnoticed by the user. On the other hand, the fill-duplex architecture presented by the team empowers one to listen and talk on the same channel simultaneously.
The uniqueness of this metamaterial technology is that it structurally splits the backward and forward paths within a single frequency, thus, doubling the system capacity. Such technology is one of the most significant engineering advances that might inspire other teams to develop better systems.