Transparent broadband absorber based on a multilayer ITO conductive film

Present study reports a novel visible-light transparent, microwave broadband absorbing metamaterial. The designed structure is implemented using three different sizes of indium tin oxide (ITO) conductive film patch arrays, which is capable of achieving a reflection coefficient ≤ -10 dB from 2.2 to 18 GHz in simulations. Moreover, a fractional bandwidth of about 156.4% and the absorber thickness of only 0.088 times the cutoff wavelength (the lowest absorption frequency) was achieved. Changing the angle of incidence ensures a good absorption effect with large angle stability, and the absorber has good transmission in the visible range. In accordance with the simulation, a sample with a size of 299 × 299 mm was fabricated, and its wave absorption performance was assessed. The experimental results and the various incidence angles in the simulation of the TE and TM modes correspond well, allowing for the realization of large angle broadband absorption at frequencies ranging from 2.2 to 18 GHz. Thus, it has been found that the structure has good optical transparency and broadband radar absorption capability, both of which will have a wide range of applications in the fields of multi-spectrum stealth and electromagnetic compatibility.