  Metamaterials--artificially structured materials with tailored
electromagnetic response--can be designed to have properties difficult to
achieve with existing materials. Here we present a structured metamaterial,
based on conducting split ring resonators (SRRs), which has an effective
index-of-refraction with a constant spatial gradient. We experimentally confirm
the gradient by measuring the deflection of a microwave beam by a planar slab
of the composite metamaterial over a broad range of frequencies. The gradient
index metamaterial represents an alternative approach to the development of
gradient index lenses and similar optics that may be advantageous, especially
at higher frequencies. In particular, the gradient index material we propose
may be suited for terahertz applications, where the magnetic resonant response
of SRRs has recently been demonstrated.
