Multilayer Radar Absorber Design with Grey Wolf Optimizer: Using Fabricated Literature Materials

This study introduces a versatile methodology for the design of multilayer radar absorbing materials (MRAM) using both virtual and experimentally reported materials from the literature. The Grey Wolf Optimizer (GWO) algorithm is utilized to minimize total absorber thickness while maximizing reflection loss across multiple frequency ranges. Initially, 16 virtual materials- derived from previously validated electromagnetic parameters-are used to explore a wide design space. The algorithm's performance is subsequently validated using real materials compiled from the literature. Original MRAM configurations are successfully developed for 2–8 GHz, 8–12 GHz, and 1–20 GHz frequency bands. The designs demonstrated high absorption performance, maintaining reflection losses below –10 dB across 0° to 40° incidence angles under both transverse electric (TE) and transverse magnetic (TM) polarizations. In particular several optimized structures incorporating real materials achieved average reflection losses around –25 dB with total thicknesses below 1.2 mm, outperforming comparable designs in the literature. These findings confirm the effectiveness of GWO in producing compact, broadband, and angularly robust MRAM. The dual-stage approach, combining virtual exploration with real-material validation, highlights the algorithm’s potential for next-generation stealth, EMI shielding, and conformal absorber applications.