Broadband Polarization Conversion Metasurface Based on Metal Cut-Wire Structure for Radar Cross Section Reduction

Area of Science:

• Electromagnetics
• Materials Science
• Metamaterials

Background:

• Metasurfaces (MSs) offer unique electromagnetic properties.
• Radar cross section (RCS) reduction is crucial for stealth technology.
• Linear polarization conversion is a key mechanism for manipulating electromagnetic waves.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose and validate a class of linear polarization conversion coding metasurfaces (MSs) for RCS reduction.
• To investigate the performance of these MSs based on metal cut-wire structures.
• To explore their effectiveness under various incidence conditions.

Main Methods:

• Theoretical hypothesis based on planar array theory.
• Electromagnetic simulations to predict RCS reduction.
• Experimental fabrication and measurement of coding MS samples.
• Verification under normal and oblique incidence.

Main Results:

• Linear polarization conversion ratio reached a maximum of 90% between 6–14 GHz.
• RCS reduction exceeding 10 dB for x- and y-polarized waves (MSs 01/01 and 01/10) in the 6–14 GHz range.
• Experimental results closely matched simulation predictions for reflectance and RCS reduction.
• RCS reduction effectiveness decreased with increasing incidence angle but remained significant.

Conclusions:

• The proposed linear polarization conversion coding MSs effectively reduce RCS.
• The designed MSs show good agreement between simulated and experimental results.
• These MSs hold significant potential for stealth field technology applications.