On the applicability of non-resonant artificial diamagnetics

Artificial diamagnetics are prominent for achieving extraordinarily strong diamagnetism in a wide frequency range. However, as far as the magnetic fields outside the artificial medium are concerned, bulk conductors show a very similar pattern. The question arises whether the complicated internal structure of artificial diamagnetics can, to this end, be replaced by a simpler object. We analyse the figure of merit for the application of diamagnetics in magnetic levitation, and show that for an electrically small body, any internal structuring makes the figure of merit worse than that of a simple conducting object.