  We introduce an improved and simplified structure made of periodic arrays of
pairs of H-shaped metallic wires that offer a potentially simpler approach in
building negative-index materials. Using simulations and microwave experiments,
we have investigated the negative-index n properties of these structures. We
have measured experimentally both the transmittance and the reflectance
properties and found unambiguously that a negative refractive index with
Re(n)<0 and Im(n) <Re(n). The same is true for epsilon and mu. Our results show
that H-shaped wire pairs can be used very effectively in producing materials
with negative refractive indices.
