A novel metamaterial structure is presented for applications as a backward propagating Cherenkov source or Cherenkov detector. The structure comprises of a complementary split ring resonator (CSRR) metasurface loaded waveguide, which exhibits left handed behaviour between 5-6 GHz. When the left handed, TM-like mode couples with an incident electron beam, backward propagating Cherenkov radiation is observed. The structure is suitable for beam-based applications, exhibiting strong beam coupling parameters and significant excitation of longitudinal wakefields. Three dimensional particle in cell simulations are performed to identify a suitable beam for operation. High and low energy beams, with different bunch dimensions from the literature, are considered and compared to investigate the nature of the beam-wave interaction this structure can support, and to identify any required modification before beam tests can be performed. This structure can lead to new solutions for non-destructive beam diagnostics, wakefield acceleration and backward wave oscillators which can potentially be scaled to higher frequency ranges.
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