Synergistic integration of polarization conversion, absorption, and diffusion in a transparent metasurface for ultra-wideband stealth applications: Optimal design and experimental validation

This paper unveils a pioneering ultra-wideband metasurface, achieving both optical transparency and significantly reduced scattering, surpassing current stealth material limitations. A novel dual-layer meta-atom, expertly balanced for polarization conversion and absorption, is meticulously fine-tuned through equivalent circuit analysis and a sophisticated genetic algorithm, targeting a broad operational bandwidth. By ingeniously arranging these meta-atoms alongside their mirrored twins, we facilitate an efficient redistribution of scattered cross-polarized energy, leading to substantial reductions in radar detectability. Simulation validations and experimental results affirm a marked improvement in stealth performance, characterized by a co-polarized RCS reduction in excess of 10 dB across the extensive 3.7–25.9 GHz band. This groundbreaking metasurface offers a versatile solution for wideband electromagnetic control in aerospace, telecommunications, and stealth applications, pushing the boundaries of stealth technology.