Subwavelength three-dimensional frequency selective surface based on surface wave tunneling

We propose a new type of three-dimensional frequency selective structure (3D-FSS) in form of subwavelength staggered metallic frames, and demonstrate a new design concept of confining and guiding surface wave propagation through the transmission tunnels for spacial filters. Both qualitative analysis by current loops and full-wave simulations show that the strong coupling along metallic frames can enhance the performance of frequency response, such as a sharper roll-off, clean out-of-band rejection, as well as angle and polarization insensitivity. Moreover, different unit cell shapes are introduced to confirm the universality of the design concept. Finally, a 3D-FSS with staggered rectangular frames was realized by experiment.