Microwave metamaterials with competing light-controllable nonlinear response

A novel approach to design metamaterials with competing nonlinear response is reported. As meta-atoms of metamaterial a split-ring resonator loaded by a varactor diode which constant bias is supplied by a photodiode is considered. A nonmonotonic frequency shift of the split-ring resonator response on incident microwave power is demonstrated. Additionally, the focusing or defocusing nonlinear response of such split-ring resonator can be controlled illuminating the photodiode by light.