Vertical multi-layered implementation of a purely left-handed transmission line for super-compact and dual-band devices

A multi-layered left-handed transmission line (LH-TL) composed of veItically stacked unit cells is proposed and demonstrated by the FDTD and FEM analysis. In addition, the composite rightilefi-handed (CRLH) equivalent circuit is used and the corresponding parameters are extracted to characterize the smcture. The proposed LH-TL, including three unit cells, is extremely small (&/40x A, 140 x 4/57 @ 5GHz, conveniently shielded, and compatible with LTCC technology Both the backward wave propagation and anti-parallel phase and group velocities are observed in the LH passband (extending from 3.32 GHz to 6.89GHz) with global phase advance from509' to 87.5". The possibility of exploiting the left-handed (LH) phase advance of this transmission line (TL) for dual-band microwave components is suggested.