We propose a simple, robust, and versatile time domain approach to homogenize metamaterials, taking into account both frequency and spatial dispersion. The macroscopic electromagnetic response of optical metamaterials, such as the fishnet structure and plasmonic metamaterials with near zero parameters, is characterized in terms of local effective parameters $\varepsilon$ and $\mu$, under the assumption that the effects of spatial dispersion are weak.

• Received 13 December 2010

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.83.165104