X-band Γ-shaped anisotropic metasurface-based perfect cross-polarizer for RCS reduction

ABSTRACT

In this paper, an X-band perfect cross-polarization convertor (CPC) that consists of Γ-shaped metal patch imprinted on a metal-backed FR-4 dielectric substrate is designed, analyzed, and characterized. The unit cell dimensions of the developed structure are optimized to achieve more than 99.9% polarization conversion ratio (PCR) for a frequency range of 8–12 GHz (X-band) at normal incidence angle. The performance of device exhibits 80% PCR value as a function of angle of incidence up to 40°. The analytical finding and experimental characteristics of the designed structure agree well with the simulated results. In addition, the developed device has been thoroughly analyzed numerically for radar cross-section (RCS) reduction using phase cancellation techniques which exhibits 10-dB mono-static RCS reduction over a frequency band 7.7 GHz to 13.7 GHz. The developed device is highly suitable for radar stealth applications.

KEYWORDS:

• Metasurface
• anisotropy
• RCS reduction
• cross polarizer

Acknowledgements

The authors thank Rajanbabu N, RF-Plasma Application Division (RPAD), IPR for providing experimental facility.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Priyanka Tiwari

Priyanka Tiwari received the MTech degree in Electronics and Communications from Malaviya National Institute of Technology (MNIT), Jaipur in 2013 and BE degree in Electronics and Telecommunications from Institute of Engineering and Technology(IET), DAVV, Indore in 2011. She is currently pursuing PhD under the aegis of Homi Bhabha National Institute (HBNI) at Institute for Plasma Research, Gandhinagar, India. Her research interest focuses on design and realization of Metasurface based devices for stealth application.

Surya Kumar Pathak

Surya Kumar Pathak did his PhD in Electromagnetics and Microwave Engineering from Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering, IIT, BHU, Varanasi, India. He joined Institute for Plasma Research, Gandhinagar Gujarat as an engineering faculty, where his studies mainly evolved around Teaching of Electromagnetics of Plasma and doing Microwave Engineering Instrumentations and Developments. He has successfully developed a Millimeter wave Laboratory and various measurement devices and systems such as Interferometers, Reflectometer, Radiometer and Fast Scan Fourier-Transform Interferometer Systems from microwave to THz spectrum. He is actively involved in teaching as well as academics programmes where he does research on EM wave propagation in Bio-media, Plasma & Metamaterials, Microwave & Optical Waveguides and Antenna Engineering. He has published more than 75 papers in various International Journals and holds one US patent. He is senior member of IEEE Antenna and Propagation.

Anitha V. p.

Anitha V. P. received her Master’s degree in Physics from IIT Madras, Chennai, India, and PhD degree in physics from IIT Bombay, Mumbai, India, in 1995. She started her research career as an experimentalist in fundamental plasma physics and has contributed to the development of the Large Volume Plasma Device (LVPD) and experiments on electromagnetic (EM) wave propagation in plasma. She is currently a Senior Scientific Officer with the Institute for Plasma Research (IPR), Gandhinagar, India, and is the Head of one of the Fundamental Plasma Research Sections. She is also a Recognized Academician with the Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai, and Gujarat Technological University, Ahmedabad, India. Her current research interests include EM wave excitation/propagation in plasma and wave–plasma interactions. In addition to her academic responsibilities, Anitha is also serving as the Chief Vigilance Officer (CVO) of IPR.

Varsha Siju

Varsha Siju has received her MSc degree in Physics from Annamalai University, Annamalainagar, India in 2008. She has joined the Institute for Plasma Research, Gandhinagar, India as a diagnostician in 2004. Since then she has been working on the design and development of various Microwave plasma diagnostics like Interferometer, Reflectometer and Radiometer. Her present research interests are working on receiver systems that can used for societal benefits, understanding the electromagnetic wave propagation in plasma, and experimental characterization of materials used for different microwave applications, and antenna measurements.

Abhishek Sinha

Abhishek Sinha received his BTech degree in Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering with distinction from Biju Patnaik University of Technology, Odisha in 2008. He received his MS (Engg) degree in Fusion Science & Technology from Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai in 2019. Presently he is working at Institute for Plasma Research, Gandhinagar. His research interest include plasma diagnostics, receiver systems, antennas, signal processing & high frequency measurements. In the past he has served DRDO, Bangalore and worked on radar system & slotted array antenna. He also acquired research experience on plasma temperature diagnostic at Culham Centre for Fusion Energy, Abingdon, UK. He has authored multiple research papers & technical reports.