# Patent

## Title
Artificial dielectric resonator and artificial dielectric filter using the same

## Abstract

An embodiment of an artificial dielectric resonator that can enhance a relative dielectric constant in a basic mode is provided. The artificial dielectric resonator has a first group of a series of metal strips including a plurality of metal strips each in a thin sheet shape arranged with microscopic gaps provided in a longitudinal direction, and a second group of a series of metal strips including a plurality of metal strips each in a thin sheet shape arranged with gaps provided in a longitudinal direction, the first group of a series of metal strips and the second group of a series of metal strips are disposed close to each other in a thickness direction of the metal strips, and the metal strip of one metal strip group is disposed to face oppositely disposed gaps and cross vertically adjacent gaps of the other metal strip group.

## Background
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/460,120, filed on Aug. 14, 2014, which is a continuation of International Patent Application No. PCT/JP2013/053440, filed on Feb. 13, 2013, which claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. JP2012-029991, filed on Feb. 14, 2012. All of the afore-mentioned patent applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.


TECHNICAL FIELD
The embodiments of the present invention relate to an artificial dielectric resonator and an artificial dielectric filter using the same.
BACKGROUND
In recent years, there have not been many cases in which high-frequency filters that are used in a microwave band and the like are made up of dielectric resonators using dielectric substances with high relative dielectric constants for the purpose of downsizing and enhancement in performance by downsizing. By forming a dielectric substance into a block in a specific size and shape, a dielectric resonator can be resonated at a desired frequency that is fixed by the size and shape of the dielectric substance and the relative dielectric constant.
A dielectric resonator using ceramics with a high relative dielectric constant (dielectric ceramics) as the material of the dielectric substance is widely known. When an electric field is applied to the molecules that configure the dielectric ceramics, the bound electrons in the molecules migrate and are polarized, and thereby the dielectric ceramics shows a high relative dielectric constant. As the relative dielectric constant of dielectric ceramics, the dielectric ceramics having relative dielectric constants of 20 to 100 can be generally put to practical use when smallness of loss at a high frequency and temperature stability are taken into consideration.
As a dielectric resonator, the dielectric resonator using an artificial dielectric substance (an artificial dielectric resonator) has been also proposed (For example, Patent Literature 1). An artificial dielectric substance is formed from assembly of a number of metallic pieces. The artificial dielectric substance behaves as a dielectric substance as a result that free electrons that are present in the metallic pieces migrate and are polarized when an electric field is applied thereto, and can obtain a high equivalent relative dielectric constant in accordance with the size and the shape of the metallic pieces, depending on the number of free electrons and the length of the migration distance. Note that artificial dielectric substances are disposed in a certain base material in order to retain the respective metallic pieces.
Further, an artificial dielectric substance has such anisotropy that the relative dielectric constant changes depending on which direction of the metallic pieces an electric field is applied as described in Patent Literature 1. Due to the anisotropy, the metallic pieces are disposed so that in resonance (a basic mode) at a desired frequency, the relative dielectric constant becomes high, and at other resonances (spurious mode) at frequencies relatively close to the desired frequency, the relative dielectric constant becomes low, whereby the artificial dielectric resonator can separate these frequencies, and thereby can suppress the spurious mode.
CITATION LIST
Patent Literature
[Patent Literature 1] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-133820
SUMMARY
Technical Problem
As above, an artificial dielectric resonator can obtain an excellent characteristic which ordinary resonators of dielectric ceramics do not have, in accordance with the sizes, shapes and disposition of metallic pieces. However, an artificial dielectric resonator still has a room for improvement, in order to respond to the request of customers of today for high-frequency filters (artificial dielectric filters) using the artificial dielectric resonators. In particular, in order to respond to the request for downsizing, an artificial dielectric resonator needs to further enhance the relative dielectric constant in a basic mode.
In the artificial dielectric filter using artificial dielectric resonators, a plurality of artificial dielectric resonators are usually disposed therein, and input/output terminals that are coupled to the artificial dielectric resonators to exchange signals with an outside are disposed. By properly controlling the degree of coupling between the input/output terminals and the artificial dielectric resonators (input/output coupling degree) and an inter-stage coupling degree between two artificial dielectric resonators, a filter characteristic (for example, a Chebyshev type or the like) of a desired band width is implemented with respect to a predetermined basic mode. With respect to an artificial dielectric filter, the degree of input/output coupling is small, and the band width of the filter characteristic tends to be narrow, and it is sometimes difficult to obtain the desired filter characteristic.
Further, an artificial dielectric filter is also desired to implement accurate positioning of a plurality of artificial dielectric resonators while restraining a lot of time and effort from being taken by the manufacture process, for the purpose of control of the inter-stage coupling degree between two artificial dielectric resonators.
The embodiments of the present invention are provided in the light of the foregoing circumstances, and an objective of the embodiments of the present invention is to provide an artificial dielectric resonator that can further enhance a relative dielectric constant in a basic mode, and to provide an artificial dielectric filter that has a large input/output coupling degree, and can implement accurate positioning of the artificial dielectric resonators.
Solution to Problem
In order to attain the foregoing described objective, an artificial dielectric resonator according to a preferable embodiment of the present invention has a first series metal strip group including a plurality of metal strips each in a thin sheet shape arranged with microscopic gaps provided in a longitudinal direction, and a second series metal strip group including a plurality of metal strips each in a thin sheet shape arranged with microscopic gaps provided in a longitudinal direction, where the first series metal strip group and the second series metal strip group are disposed close to each other in a thickness direction of the metal strips, and the metal strip of one of the metal strip groups is disposed to face and cross the gap of the other metal strip group.
It is preferable that in the artificial dielectric resonator, the first series metal strip group and the second series metal strip group separately form annular shapes. More preferably, the artificial dielectric resonator further has a third series metal strip group including a plurality of metal strips each in a thin sheet shape annularly arranged with microscopic gaps provided in a longitudinal direction, the third series metal strip group being disposed coaxially with the first series metal strip group and close to the first series metal strip group in width directions of the metal strips, and a fourth series metal strip group including a plurality of metal strips each in a thin sheet shape annularly arranged with microscopic gaps provided in a longitudinal direction, the fourth series metal strip group being disposed coaxially with the second series metal strip group and close to the second series metal strip group in width directions of the metal strips.
It is preferable that an artificial dielectric filter includes a plurality of the artificial dielectric resonators, and two input/output terminals, where the artificial dielectric resonators which are adjacent to each other are coupled to each other, and the input/output terminals are coupled to the artificial dielectric resonators which are adjacent to the input/output terminals.
It is preferable that in the artificial dielectric filter, the respective input/output terminals are directly connected to the metal strips of the artificial dielectric resonators which are adjacent to the input/output terminals.
It is preferable that in the artificial dielectric filter, the plurality of artificial dielectric resonators are formed in an integral multilayer substrate so that a relative position of the plurality of artificial dielectric resonators is fastened to achieve a predetermined inter-stage coupling degree.
It is preferable that in the artificial dielectric filter, the artificial dielectric resonator resonates with a basic mode set as a TE01δ mode.
Advantageous Effect of the Embodiments of the Invention
According to the embodiments of the present invention, the first series metal strip group and the second series metal strip group are disposed close to each other in the thickness directions of the metal strips, and the metal strip of one of the metal strip groups is disposed to face and cross the gap of the other metal strip group. Therefore, by a large capacitance there between, the artificial dielectric resonator showing an extremely high relative dielectric constant can be provided. Further, the input/output terminal is directly connected to the metal strip by using the artificial dielectric resonator, and a plurality of artificial dielectric resonators are formed in the integral multilayer substrate, whereby the artificial dielectric filter which has a large input/output coupling degree, and implements accurate positioning of the artificial dielectric resonators can be provided.



BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an artificial dielectric resonator according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a first series metal strip group of the artificial dielectric resonator of an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a second series metal strip group of the artificial dielectric resonator of an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a view explaining electric charges that are generated in the first series metal strip group and the second series metal strip group of the artificial dielectric resonator of an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a modification of the artificial dielectric resonator of an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a first series metal strip group and a third series metal strip group of the modification of the artificial dielectric resonator of an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a second series metal strip group and a fourth series metal strip group of the modification of the artificial dielectric resonator of an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an artificial dielectric filter of an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a plan view of an inside of the artificial dielectric filter of an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a characteristic diagram of an inter-stage coupling degree of the artificial dielectric filter of an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a characteristic diagram of an input/output coupling degree of the artificial dielectric filter of an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 12 is a plan view of an inside of an artificial dielectric filter in which an input/output method of the artificial dielectric filter of an embodiment of the present invention is changed.
FIG. 13 is a characteristic diagram of an input/output coupling degree of the artificial dielectric filter in which the input/output method of the artificial dielectric filter of an embodiment of the present invention is changed.



DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, an artificial dielectric resonator 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention has a first series metal strip group 2 including a plurality of metal strips 20, 20, . . . each in a thin sheet shape annularly arranged with microscopic gaps 20G, 20G, . . . provided in a longitudinal direction, and a second series metal strip group 3 including a plurality of metal strips 30, 30, . . . each in a thin sheet shape annularly arranged with microscopic gaps 30G, 30G, . . . provided in a longitudinal direction. The first series metal strip group 2 and the second series metal strip group 3 are disposed close to each other in a thickness direction of the metal strips 20 and 30, and the metal strip 20 or 30 of either one of the metal strip group 2 or 3 is disposed to face and cross the gap 30G or 20G of the other metal strip group 3 or 2.
The metal strips 20 and 30 each in a thin sheet shape are metal pieces with large aspect ratios (widths are short, and lengths are long). Further, in the artificial dielectric resonator 1, the first series metal strip group 2 and the second series metal strip group 3 are disposed in a base material for retaining them (for example, a multilayer substrate which will be described later such as a resin multilayer substrate and an LTCC (low temperature co-fire ceramics) substrate).
In the artificial dielectric resonator 1, metal strip groups similar to the first series metal strip group 2 or the second series metal strip group 3 are properly provided by being stacked in sequence similarly to the positional relation of the first series metal strip group 2 and the second series metal strip group 3. FIG. 1 shows the artificial dielectric resonator in which three layers of the metal strip groups similar to the first series metal strip group 2, and two layers of the metal strip groups similar to the second series metal strip group 3, that is, five layers in total are provided in layer.
In the artificial dielectric resonator 1 as above, free electrons in the metal strips 20 and 30 migrate by an applied electric field, and positive charges or negative charges are present at one end sides of the metal strips 20 and 30, and negative charges or positive charges are present at the other end sides. This state is a state in which the metal strips 20 and 30 cause polarization, and the positive charges and the negative charges which are present configure an electric dipole. As a dipole moment which is obtained by multiplying the amount of charges in the electric dipole and a polarization distance is larger, a higher relative dielectric constant can be obtained.
Therefore, the first series metal strip group 2 and the second series metal strip group 3 each forming an annular shape show a high relative dielectric constant to an annular electric field which is applied. Thereby, the artificial dielectric resonator 1 having the first series metal strip group 2 and the second series metal strip group 3 can have a TE01δ mode in which the direction of the electric field of resonance forms an annular shape as an object basic mode. A TE01δ mode is willingly used as a basic mode, because of small loss.
Further, the positional relation of the metal strip 20 of the first series metal strip group 2 and the metal strip 30 of the second series metal strip group 3 generates a large capacitance between the metal strip 20 and the metal strip 30. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 4, a larger number of electric charges (positive charges or the negative charges at one end side and the negative charges or the positive charges at the other end side) are stored, whereby the dipolar moment becomes large, and a very high relative dielectric constant can be obtained in the annular direction. Note that the electric fields between the adjacent metal strips 20 and 20 and between the adjacent metal strips 30 and 30 are strong. Further, an electric field occurs between the metal strip 20 and the metal strip 30.
Note that the relative dielectric coefficient can be also adjusted by changing a width of the metal strip 20 and a distance of the gap 20G in the first series metal strip group 2, and a width of the metal strip 30 and a distance of the gap 30G in the second series metal strip group 3, and the like.
If the basic mode is set as the TE01δ mode of a predetermined resonance frequency, the artificial dielectric resonator 1 is downsized. When a spurious mode (for example, a TM11δ mode or the like) having a resonance frequency relatively close to the resonance frequency of the TE01δ mode is present, the size of the artificial dielectric resonator 1 changes, whereby the resonance frequency of the spurious mode changes in accordance with the size thereof, and as a result, the resonance frequencies of the basic mode and the spurious mode can be separated.
Next, an example of modifying the artificial dielectric resonator 1 will be described. An artificial dielectric resonator 1′ further has a third series metal strip group 4 and a fourth series metal strip group 5, in addition to the configuration of the artificial dielectric resonator 1, as shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7. Namely, the third series metal strip group 4 includes a plurality of metal strips 40 each in a thin sheet shape annularly arranged with microscopic gaps 40G provided in a longitudinal direction, and is disposed coaxially with the first series metal strip group 2 and close to the first series metal strip group 2 in the width direction of the metal strip 20. The fourth series metal strip group 5 includes a plurality of metal strips 50 each in a thin sheet shape annularly arranged with microscopic gaps 50G provided in a longitudinal direction, and is disposed coaxially with the second series metal strip group 3, and in a close vicinity to the second series metal strip group 3 in the width direction of the metal strip 30.
The artificial dielectric resonator 1′ as above also generates capacitances between the metal strip 20 and the metal strip 40, and between the metal strip 30 and the metal strip 50, separately. These capacitances are not so large as the capacitance between the metal strip 20 and the metal strip 30, but contributes to storing a larger number of charges (positive charges or negative charges at one end side, and negative charges or positive charges at the other end side). Thereby, the relative dielectric constant can be enhanced more.
Next, an artificial dielectric filter 10 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the artificial dielectric filter 10 includes a plurality of artificial dielectric resonators 1′ and 1′ and two input/output terminals 11 and 11. The respective artificial dielectric resonators 1′ and 1′ are retained by being disposed in a base material 13 in a case 12, and the adjacent artificial dielectric resonators 1′ and 1′ are coupled to each other by an electromagnetic field. The respective input/output terminals 11 and 11 are fastened to the case 12, the input/output terminals 11 are coupled to the artificial dielectric resonators 1′ adjacent to the input/output terminals 11. Note that reference sign 14 in FIG. 8 designates a support member that supports the base material 13.
Note that the number of artificial dielectric resonators 1′ and 1′ is not limited, and may be two, or three, or more. Further, while in the present embodiment, the aforementioned artificial dielectric resonators 1′ and 1′ are used as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the aforementioned artificial dielectric resonators 1 and 1 may be used.
For the purpose of coupling of the artificial dielectric resonator 1′ and the input/output terminal 11, the input/output terminal 11 of the artificial dielectric filter 10 is directly connected to the metal strip 20 of the artificial dielectric resonator P. The direct connection is enabled because the artificial dielectric resonator 1′ has the separate metal strips 20, 20, . . . . In more detail, a probe section 11a that is a section which directly connects the input/output terminal 11 to the metal strip 20 is provided, and a probe section 11a′ that is a section which directly connects the metal strips 20 other than the metal strip 20 which is connected to the probe section 11a to a ground section G is provided. The probe sections 11a and 11a′ are formed in layers (metal layers) which are the same as the first series metal strip group 2 and the third series metal strip group 4.
By the direction connection, an input/output connection degree between the input/output terminal 11 and the artificial dielectric resonator 1′ is increased, and can be brought close to the inter-stage coupling degree of the artificial dielectric resonators 1′ and 1′. If the input/output coupling degree is brought close to the inter-stage coupling degree, the band width of the filter characteristic of the entire artificial dielectric filter 10 is restrained from becoming narrower than a relative band of the filter characteristic between the artificial dielectric resonators 1′ and 1′. Further, by the direct connection, wiring for coupling of the input/output terminal 11 and the artificial dielectric resonator 1′ is fastened, and the input/output coupling degree is stabilized. Further, an additional layer as shown in a reference example described later is not required or a large area for coupling is not required, for the purpose of coupling the input/output terminal 11 and the artificial dielectric resonator 1′, and therefore, the direct connection also contributes to downsizing.
Further, the plurality of artificial dielectric resonators 1′ and 1′ of the artificial dielectric filter 10 are both formed in an integral multilayer substrate which is the base material 13. Thereby, relative position of the plurality of artificial dielectric resonators 1′ and 1′ is fastened, and a predetermined inter-stage coupling degree is obtained. As the multilayer substrate, a resin multilayer substrate, an LTCC (low temperature co-fire ceramics) substrate and the like can be used.
A simulation analysis result of the artificial dielectric filter 10 will be shown as follows. In the analysis, three-dimensional electromagnetic simulation software HFSS is used. The thickness of the metal layer is 18 μm, and five layers are stacked. As for the base material, a relative dielectric constant is set at 2.4 and dielectric loss is set at 0.00114. In the artificial dielectric resonator 1′, the width of the metal strip is set at 0.8 mm, and all the gaps each between the two metal strips in the same layer are all set at 0.2 mm. An outside diameter of the first series metal strip group 2 which forms an annular shape is set at 8.4 mm. Widths of the probe sections 11a and 11a′ were set at 0.5 mm. Note that although explanation will be omitted because it is not the gist of the invention, the numeric value showing the input/output coupling degree in the characteristic diagram in the analysis is a value which is a so-called external k, and the numeric value showing the inter-stage coupling degree is a value which is a so-called a coupling constant.
FIG. 10 shows a characteristic of the inter-stage coupling degree of the artificial dielectric filter 10. The axis of abscissa of FIG. 10 represents a distance X between the two artificial dielectric resonators 1′ and 1′. Where the distance X between the artificial dielectric resonators 1′ and 1′ is short, the inter-stage coupling degree is in the order of 10−2. Further, if the distance between the artificial dielectric resonators 1′ and 1′ becomes short within the range, the inter-stage coupling degree increases relatively abruptly. Thereby, it proves to be effective to form the two artificial dielectric resonators 1′ and 1′ in the integral multilayer substrate and fix the relative position thereof.
FIG. 11 shows a characteristic of the input/output coupling degree of the artificial dielectric filter 10. The axis of abscissa of FIG. 11 represents a distance Y between the probe section 11a and the probe section 11a′ of the input/output terminal 11. Where the distance Y of the probe section 11a and the probe section 11a′ is short, the input/output degree can be achieved in the order of 10−2, and is a value close to the inter-stage coupling degree. Thereby, it is found out that if the input/output terminal 11 is directly connected to the artificial dielectric resonator 1′, the band width of the filter characteristic of the entire artificial dielectric filter 10 can be restrained from being narrowed.
Note that FIG. 12 shows an artificial dielectric filter 10A as a reference example. The artificial dielectric filter 10A is such that a loop-shaped section 11aa is provided at the probe section 11a of the input/output terminal 11 and is coupled to the artificial dielectric resonator 1′ via a gap, without directly connecting the input/output terminal 11 to the metal strip 20 of the artificial dielectric resonator P. This is such that when the basic mode is a TE01δ mode, a lot of magnetic field energy is present around the artificial dielectric resonator 1′, and the artificial dielectric resonator 1′ and the loop-shaped section 11aa mutually capture the magnetic field energy, and thereby are coupled (magnetic coupling) to each other.
FIG. 13 shows a characteristic of the input/output coupling degree of the artificial dielectric filter 10A. It is found out that the input/output coupling degree cannot be achieved in the order of 10−2. This is because however close the artificial dielectric resonator 1′ and the loop-shaped section 11aa are brought to each other, the magnetic energy which the artificial dielectric resonator 1′ and the loop-shaped section 11aa can mutually capture is limited. Note that the axis of abscissa of FIG. 13 is a ratio of a radius r of the loop-shaped section 11aa and a radius R of an outer circumference of the first series metal strip group 2.
While the artificial dielectric resonator and the artificial dielectric filter using the same according to the embodiment of the present invention are described thus far, the present invention is not limited to what is described in the aforementioned embodiment, and various design changes within the range of the matters described in claims can be made. For example, in addition to the configuration of the aforementioned artificial dielectric resonator 1′, the metal strip group which is similar to the first series metal strip group 2 and the third series metal strip group 4 and is close to them in the width direction can be properly increased. Further, while the one in which the input/output terminal 11 of the artificial dielectric filter 10 and the metal strip 20 of the first series metal strip group 2 are directly connected is described, the art of the direct connection is applicable without being limited to the detailed configuration of the artificial dielectric resonator 1′ (or 1) if only the artificial dielectric resonator has the aforementioned first series metal strip group 2.
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST


    
    
        1 Artificial dielectric resonator
        10 Artificial dielectric filter
        11 Input/output terminal
        2 First series metal strip group
        20 Metal strip of first series metal strip group
        20G Gap of metal strips of first series metal strip group
        3 Second series metal strip group
        30 Metal strip of second series metal strip group
        30G Gap of metal strips of second series metal strip group
        4 Third series metal strip group
        40 Metal strip of third series metal strip group
        40G Gap of metal strips of third series metal strip group
        5 Fourth series metal strip group
        50 Metal strip of fourth series metal strip group
        50G Gap of metal strips of fourth series metal strip group

## Claims

1. An artificial dielectric resonator, comprising:
only two group sets;
first group set comprising:
a first group of a series of metal strips including a plurality of metal strips each in a thin sheet shape arranged with microscopic gaps provided in a longitudinal direction; and
a second group of a series of metal strips including a plurality of metal strips each in a thin sheet shape arranged with microscopic gaps provided in a longitudinal direction,
wherein the metal strip of one of the two groups in the first group set is disposed to face and extend across the gap of the other metal strip group; and

a second group set comprising:
a third group of a series of metal strips that includes a plurality of metal strips each in a thin sheet shape arranged with microscopic gaps provided in a longitudinal direction and forming an annular shape, the third group of a series of metal strips being disposed coaxially and longitudinally with the first group of a series of metal strips; and
a fourth group of a series of metal strips that includes a plurality of metal strips each in a thin sheet shape arranged with microscopic gaps provided in a longitudinal direction and forming an annular shape, the fourth group of a series of metal strips being disposed coaxially and longitudinally with the second group of a series of metal strips,
wherein the metal strip of one of the two groups in the second group set is disposed to face and extend across the gap of the other metal strip group.

2. The artificial dielectric resonator according to claim 1,
wherein the first group of a series of metal strips and the second group of a series of metal strips form separate annular shapes, and the third group of a series of metal strips and the fourth group of a series of metal strips form separate annular shapes.

3. The artificial dielectric resonator according to claim 1, wherein,
a number of the metal strips in each of the first group of a series of metal strips, the second group of a series of metal strips, the third group of a series of metal strips and the fourth group of a series of metal strips is at least 8.

4. The artificial dielectric resonator according to claim 1, wherein,
a width of each metal strip in the first group of a series of metal strips, the second group of a series of metal strips, the third group of a series of metal strips and the fourth group of a series of metal strips is 0.8 mm.

5. The artificial dielectric resonator according to claim 1, wherein,
a gap between the first and the second group sets is 0.2 mm.

6. An artificial dielectric filter, comprising:
two input/output terminals; and
a plurality of artificial dielectric resonators,
each of artificial dielectric resonators
comprising only two group sets:
a first group set comprising:
a first group of a series of metal strips including a plurality of metal strips each in a thin sheet shape arranged with microscopic gaps provided in a longitudinal direction; and
a second group of a series of metal strips including a plurality of metal strips each in a thin sheet shape arranged with microscopic gaps provided in a longitudinal direction,
wherein the metal strip of one of the two groups in the first group set is disposed to face and extend across the gap of the other metal strip group; and

a second group set comprising:
a third group of a series of metal strips that includes a plurality of metal strips each in a thin sheet shape arranged with microscopic gaps provided in a longitudinal direction and forming an annular shape, the third group of a series of metal strips being disposed coaxially and longitudinally with the first group of a series of metal strips; and
a fourth group of a series of metal strips that includes a plurality of metal strips each in a thin sheet shape arranged with microscopic gaps provided in a longitudinal direction and forming an annular shape, the fourth group of a series of metal strips being disposed coaxially and longitudinally with the second group of a series of metal strips,
wherein the metal strip of one of the two groups in the second group set is disposed to face and extend across the gap of the other metal strip group;
wherein the artificial dielectric resonators which are adjacent to each other are coupled to each other, and the input/output terminals are coupled to the artificial dielectric resonators which are adjacent to the input/output terminals.

7. The artificial dielectric filter according to claim 6, wherein the first group of a series of metal strips and the second group of a series of metal strips form separate annular shapes, and the third group of a series of metal strips and the fourth group of a series of metal strips form separate annular shapes.

8. The artificial dielectric filter according to claim 6,
each a number of the metal strips in each of the first group of a series of metal strips, the second group of a series of metal strips, the third group of a series of metal strips and the fourth group of a series of metal strips is at least 8.

9. The artificial dielectric filter according to claim 6, wherein,
a width of each metal strip in the first group of a series of metal strips, the second group of a series of metal strips, the third group of a series of metal strips and the fourth group of a series of metal strips is 0.8 mm.

10. The artificial dielectric filter according to claim 6, wherein,
a gap between the first and second group sets is 0.2 mm.

11. The artificial dielectric filter according to claim 6,
wherein the respective input/output terminals are directly connected to the metal strips of the artificial dielectric resonators which are adjacent to the input/output terminals.

12. The artificial dielectric filter according to claim 6,
wherein the plurality of artificial dielectric resonators are formed in an integral multilayer substrate so that a relative position of the plurality of artificial dielectric resonators is fixed to achieve a predetermined inter-stage coupling degree.

13. The artificial dielectric filter according to claim 6,
wherein at least one of the plurality of artificial dielectric resonators resonates with a basic mode set as a TE018 mode.

14. The artificial dielectric filter according to claim 6, wherein,
the first group set is an outer group set, the second group set is an inner group set.

15. The artificial dielectric resonator according to claim 14, wherein,
the center of the second group set is empty to let a magnetic field pass through the artificial dielectric resonator.

16. The artificial dielectric resonator according to claim 1, wherein,
the first group set is an outer group set, the second group set is an inner group set.

17. The artificial dielectric resonator according to claim 16, wherein,
the center of the second group set is empty to let a magnetic field pass through the artificial dielectric resonator.