Generation of arbitrarily directed split beams with a reflective metasurface

Area of Science:

• Electromagnetics
• Materials Science
• Wave Optics

Background:

• Metasurfaces offer advanced control over electromagnetic waves.
• Existing methods for beamsplitter design have limitations in controlling multiple output directions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a novel formalism for designing metasurface beamsplitters with arbitrary split beam directions.
• To demonstrate the efficacy of this new design technique through experimental and numerical verification.

Main Methods:

• Utilized array theory, specifically the Fourier transform method of array synthesis.
• Designed and fabricated a metasurface beamsplitter using screen-printed metallic rectangular resonators on a substrate.
• Verified performance using a free-space horn system at 10.525 GHz.

Main Results:

• The designed metasurface beamsplitter demonstrated beamsplitting capabilities.
• Experimental and numerical results showed good agreement with the design predictions.
• The technique accurately controlled scattering into designer-selected directions.

Conclusions:

• The presented formalism is effective for designing metasurface beamsplitters with tailored directional outputs.
• This method provides a versatile tool for electromagnetic wave manipulation.
• Screen-printing offers a viable fabrication method for such metasurfaces.