Nonasymptotic homogenization of periodic electromagnetic structures: Uncertainty principles

We show that artificial magnetism of periodic dielectric or metal/dielectric structures has limitations and is subject to at least two “uncertainty principles.” First, the stronger the magnetic response (the deviation of the effective permeability tensor from identity), the less accurate (“certain”) the predictions of any homogeneous model. Second, if the magnetic response is strong, then homogenization cannot accurately reproduce the transmission and reflection parameters and, simultaneously, power dissipation in the material. These principles are general and not confined to any particular method of homogenization. Our theoretical analysis is supplemented with a numerical example: a hexahedral lattice of cylindrical air holes in a dielectric host. Even though this case is highly isotropic, which might be thought of as conducive to homogenization, the uncertainty principles remain valid.