Wideband high-efficiency scattering reduction in a graphene based optically transparent and flexible metasurface

Abstract

Metasurfaces with scattering field suppression properties play a crucial role in electromagnetic protection and stealth strategies, benefiting both civilian and military sectors. Despite significant efforts dedicated to exploring methods for radar cross-section (RCS) reduction, the design of wideband devices with high-efficiency scattering reduction remains a substantial challenge. As a unique two-dimensional material, graphene, characterized by its ultra-thin profile, exceptional mechanical strength, and high carrier mobility, presents a new perspective for stealth technology. In this paper, we propose a novel graphene-based optically transparent and flexible metasurface, achieving high-efficiency RCS reduction across a wide frequency band. Employing multilayer stacking and doping of graphene, reverse-phase absorption cells with wideband characteristics have been successfully fabricated, enabling effective RCS reduction over a broadband through both phase cancellation and absorption mechanisms. The structure has undergone validation through both simulation and experimentation, exhibiting significant scattering suppression exceeding 20 dB in the frequency range of 10.3–19.2 GHz, and maintaining a reduction exceeding 10 dB from 6.3 to 21.4 GHz. Furthermore, simulation analysis indicates that the metasurface demonstrates remarkable polarization stability and robustness against large-angle incidences. In curved applications, the device attains a wideband RCS reduction of 15 dB at a bending angle of 15 degrees, and continues to surpass 10 dB even at an angle of 150 degrees. This graphene-based metasurface provides a pioneering approach for achieving near-perfect electromagnetic stealth.