The radiation properties of a hybrid plasmonic travelling wave antenna in the presence of an epsilon near zero (ENZ) metamaterial layer at optical frequencies are investigated. By choosing the best position, thickness and refractive index of this layer the directivity of the antenna is improved. Simulation results show that by using ideal ENZ metamaterial with negative ENZ and magnetic permeability equal one, the directivity of hybrid plasmonic antenna is enhanced by 3.66‌dBi. The actual structure of the ENZ metamaterial implemented using metallic nanocomposites and is modeled by Brugman model. Using this ENZ slab on top of the hybrid plasmonic antenna enhances directivity of antenna 2.44‌dBi, But the loss of metallic nanocomposite causes decreasement of efficiency about 14%.

Keywords: Hybrid Plasmonic Travelling wave Antenna, Epsilon Near Zero ‌(ENZ) Metamaterial, Enhanced Directivity

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