Experimental verification of zero order bandgap in a layered stack of left-handed and right-handed materials.

A theoretically, predicted bandgap corresponding to the zero volume-averaged refractive index is verified experimentally by measuring the scattering parameters of a one-dimensional layered stack composed of left-handed and right-handed materials. The unique property of the zero-n gap, also denoted zero order bandgap, is verified by experiments, showing that unlike a conventional photonic band gap, the frequency corresponding to the zero order gap remains unchanged when the periodicity is altered.