High Polarization Conversion Ratio Research Articles

Bifunctional flexible metasurface based on graphene and vanadium dioxide for polarization conversion and absorption

A bifunctional flexible metasurface with high polarization conversion ratio (PCR) and absorptivity based on graphene and vanadium dioxide (VO2) is proposed in microwave band, which consists of metallic resonator with two VO2 films in the diagonal direction, graphene resistance film layer, two polyimide (PI) dielectric layers and copper ground plate. The proposed metasurface can be switched from a polarization converter to an absorber by employing insulator-to-metal transition in VO2, and the PCR and absorptivity are dynamically manipulated by the graphene. When the conductivity of VO2 (σvo2) is 10 S/m (room temperature) and the square resistance of graphene (Rg) is 900 Ω/sq., the metasurface becomes a broadband polarization converter with the PCR exceeding 90 % in 6.97–17.62 GHz and the corresponding relative bandwidth (RB) is 86.62 %. Once the temperature is high enough and VO2 is in its fully metallic state (σvo2 = 2 × 105 S/m and Rg = 30 Ω/sq), the metasurface efficiently absorbs normally incident electromagnetic (EM) waves in 13.33–19.47 GHz with the absorptivity exceeding 90 % (RB = 37.44 %). The influence of geometric and EM parameters and incident angles on its bifunctional features are also investigated. Moreover, the proposed metasurface exhibits polarization insensitivity under dual functions. The designed bifunctional metasurface is expected to be applied in the fields of wireless communication systems, radar and sonar systems and EM stealth technology.

A Tunable Dual‐Band Flexible Polarization Converter Based on Vanadium Dioxide Reflective Metasurface

A flexible dual‐band efficient polarization converter is realized by both coupled mode theory (CMT) analysis and numerical simulation in the microwave regime. The proposed structure can convert linearly polarized electromagnetic waves into their orthogonal components in the two sidebands. Moreover, a specular reflection performance is obtained in the central frequency band. The polarization conversion ratio (PCR) and operating bandwidth of dual band is dynamically modulated by vanadium dioxide (VO2). In the simulation results, it is shown that the proposed metasurface can achieve linear polarization conversion in 8.17–12.87 and 14.63–18.92 GHz in the insulating phase. PCRs of the dual band are 97.06% and 98.13%, the corresponding relative bandwidths (RBs) are 44.68% and 25.58%. In the metallic phase, the PCRs in 6.81–13.95 and 16.23–18.16 GHz are 91.12% (RB = 68.79%) and 96.92% (RB = 11.22%). The analyses of the phase difference (u–v coordinate system) and the surface current are given to explain the mechanisms of dual‐band and high PCR. The simulation results are in good agreement with those of CMT. Furthermore, the structure has a robust response to the oblique incidence angle (up to 30°) and has polarization insensitivity. The proposed metasurface has great potential applications in antenna radiation, biosensing, and stealth technology.

Tunable dual-functional metasurface for wideband cross-polarization conversion and wideband absorption

This work presents a tunable and wideband dual-functional metasurface (DFM) operating in the terahertz regime with highest overlap bandwidth (OBW). The structure consists of a double-split ring resonator and a meandered square ring resonator based on VO2 to achieve reflective cross-polarization conversion and absorption functionalities, respectively. When the phase changing material VO2 is in its metallic state, the metasurface acts as a perfect absorber with a peak absorption of ≥ 90% over the operating band of 2.3–4.01 THz. When VO2 is in its insulating state, the metasurface acts as a reflective cross-polarization converter over a wideband from 1–4.1 THz with high polarization conversion ratio of ≥ 90%. The proposed DFM has a stable response up to 45∘ of incidence in the polarization converter state and 60∘ of angular stability under the absorber state. Further, tunability is achieved by integrating photoconductive silicon and controlling the optical pump intensity in the double-split ring and meandered . square ring resonators. The proposed metasurface finds its applications in security, detection and THz communication systems.

Electrically controllable broadband reflective linear cross-polarization conversion based on liquid crystals.

This paper presents an electrically controllable reflective broadband linear polarization (LP) converter based on liquid crystals (LCs) for cross-polarization conversion (CPC) in the terahertz frequency range. The proposed structure achieves a high polarization conversion ratio (PCR) exceeding 0.9 within the frequency range of 236.8 - 269.6 GHz. A vital feature of this design is the dynamic control of polarization conversion by re-orienting the nematic liquid crystal molecules through voltage bias switching between 'on' and 'off' states, allowing for precise manipulation of cross-polarized and co-polarized reflected waves. Experimental results validate the simulation outcomes, demonstrating excellent agreement. In contrast to conventional reflective polarization converters with fixed frequency responses, the proposed electrically controllable polarization conversion offers significant potential in imaging and optical communications.

A Broadband Transmissive Type Metasurface Cross-Polarization Converter for EMC Application

In this article, the design of a cross-polarization converter (CPC) using metasurface has been presented for electromagnetic coupling applications. The proposed structure is able to convert a linearly polarized incident wave into its cross-polarized counterpart over a wide frequency range covering the C, X, and Ku bands. The present structure is a transmissive type CPC consisting of a thin layer of periodic structure sandwiched between two orthogonally oriented metallic patterns. The simulation of the proposed structure has predicted a high polarization conversion ratio above 95% between 4.6 and 14.8 GHz. The structure has the periodicity of 0.17 λ, while maintaining an ultra-thin feature of 0.12 λ concerning the lower frequency of the conversion band. A prototype of the structure with 20 × 20 unit cells has been fabricated and experimentally tested for its propagation behavior. The simulated and the measured results are found to be in excellent agreement.

Ultra-Wide Band Polarization Converter Based on Ultra-Thin Bi-Layer Slot Structures

An ultrathin linear-to-linear polarization converter exhibiting a high polarization conversion ratio (PCR) in an ultrawide bandwidth is fabricated on a printed circuit board (PCB). It is based on a bilayer slot structure that is electrically connected by via holes. Front- and back-sided slot structures are arranged in mutually orthogonal directions and function as receivers and radiators, respectively. The via holes provide a route for the transfer of electromagnetic energy received by the front-sided slot structures to the back-sided slot structures and radiate an electromagnetic wave having polarization orthogonal to that of the input electromagnetic wave. Moreover, two slots are employed for each unit cell design, and the locations of the via holes are carefully determined to achieve broadband polarization conversion. The via-hole positions that change the surface current distribution around the slot apertures enable the control of multiple resonance frequencies. Via holes are positioned to make first and second resonance frequencies that are blue-shifted toward the third resonance frequency, which broadens the operational band of the perfect polarization conversion. The 0.8 mm thick polarization converter exhibits PCR greater than 99% in the frequency band from 24.5 to 47 GHz.

Direction‐Dependent Janus Metasurface Supported by Waveguide Structure with Spoof Surface Plasmon Polariton Modes

AbstractIn this work, a novel direction‐dependent Janus metasurface (DDJM) supported by waveguide structure (WGS) with surface plasmon polariton (SSPP) modes is proposed. In −z‐direction, linear‐to‐linear (LTL) polarization conversion (PC) can be implemented at the low frequencies by the reflection characteristics of the WGS. And in the +z‐direction, the ultrawideband absorption takes shape due to the SSPP modes, in which strongly localized oscillation of free electrons are confined to the metal–dielectric interface assisted by the WGS. The combination of the WGS and the PC structure finally enables the low‐frequency LTL PC with the high polarization conversion ratio (over 0.9) at 0.87–1.35 THz in −z‐direction, corresponding to the relative bandwidth of 43.24%, as well as the absorption in +z‐direction with an efficiency of over 0.9 in the frequency range of 0.8–1.2 THz. Also the fixed direction‐independent transparent window brought by WGS runs from 1.57 to 1.90 THz when the co‐polarized transmission coefficient exceeds 0.85, occupying a staggered band compared to that of PC or absorption. The favorable properties of the DDJM promise a potential practical application in full‐space electromagnetic wave control and radar stealth technology fields.

C-Band Linear Polarization Metasurface Converter with Arbitrary Polarization Rotation Angle Based on Notched Circular Patches

This paper presents a linear polarization metasurface converter with arbitrary polarization rotating angle and stable oblique incident response, which is based on the concept of linear-to-circular polarization decomposition and recombination. A metasurface unit cell is proposed using a notched circular patch with two metallized vias connected to the bottom-layer coplanar waveguide (CPW) transmission lines. By changing the length of the two transmission lines, different polarization rotation angle may be realized. The proposed metasurface polarization converter is theoretically analyzed and full-wave simulated. A 45∘ metasurface polarization converter with 8×8 unit cells is designed and experimentally demonstrated. The experimental results agree well with the simulation, showing that the proposed metasurface polarization converter can achieve a high polarization conversion ratio (PCR) larger than 85% under up to 50∘ oblique incident wave.

A Triple-Band Reflective Polarization Conversion Metasurface with High Polarization Conversion Ratio for Ism and X-Band Applications.

A compact and triple-band polarization converting reflective type metasurface (PCRM) with a high polarization conversion ratio (PCR) is proposed for strategic wireless antenna-integrated applications. The unit cell of the metasurface is composed of S- and G-shaped patches separated with a parasitic gap and the grounded via is connected to the full ground plane. The unit cell is etched on an FR4 substrate (dielectric constant, εr = 4.4, loss tangent, tan δ = 0.02), with compact dimensions of 10 mm3 × 10 mm3 × 1.6 mm3. This structure provides a resonance at 5.2 (ISM), 6.9, and 8.05 GHz (X-band) frequencies. The designed unit cell structure is studied for Transverse Electric (TE)/Transverse Magnetic (TM) incident waves and their responses to the various incident angles. The corresponding PCR is calculated, which shows 92% in the lower frequency band (5.2 GHz), 93% in the second frequency band (6.9 GHz), and 94% in the high-frequency band (8.05 GHz). The total efficiency of the structure shows 83.2%, 62.95%, and 64.6% at the respective resonance bands. A prototype of the proposed PCRM with 3 × 3 unit cells is fabricated to validate the simulated results. The experimental data agrees with the simulation results. The compactness, triple-band operation with a high PCR value of more than 92% makes use of the designed metasurface in wireless antenna-integrated applications at ISM and X-bands.

Topology optimization of the azimuth-rotation-independent polarization conversion metasurface for bandwidth enhancement.

Metasurfaces offer an unprecedented opportunity for flexible manipulation of electromagnetic wave. The azimuth-rotation-independent (ARI) polarization conversion metasurface (PCM) is an ultrathin device, which could convert an arbitrary linearly-polarized incident wave to its cross-polarized state. However, the bandwidth of an ARI PCM with a high cross-polarized transmission is usually limited. Here, a topology optimization method of multi-feature points based on the differential evolution (DE) algorithm is adopted to enhance the bandwidth of the traditional ARI PCM while maintaining a high transmission and polarization conversion ratio. The simulated results of the optimized structure indicate a 2.08 times bandwidth expansion in the cross-polarization conversion compared with the original structure. In addition, the measured results are consistent with the simulated ones and the ARI characteristic is validated. The proposed method provides a promising route for efficient high-performance metasurface designs.

Broadband and efficient asymmetric wavefront manipulation via terahertz polarization-selective metasurface

Asymmetric manipulation of electromagnetic waves exhibits tremendous capabilities in the applications of encryption, ultrafast information processing, and communication. However, compact and broadband terahertz (THz) components for asymmetric applications are still scarce. Here, we demonstrate broadband, ultrathin, and efficient metasurface-based asymmetric transmission and wavefront manipulation in the THz region. The metasurface consists of tri-layer metallic structures separated by two flexible polyimide dielectrics. This ultrathin structure exhibits superior asymmetric response which can act as an efficient device with a high linear polarization conversion ratio over 0.9 ranging from 0.5 to 1.1 THz. We also develop THz asymmetric applications based on the flexible metasurface for beam deflector and orbital angular momentum generation. The THz time-domain spectroscopy system and spectral imaging system are used to characterize the broadband asymmetric properties. The experimental results confirm that the beam deflection and vortex waves can be realized over broadband under one linearly polarized incidence while blocked under its orthogonal incidence. This work may provide a promising route to achieve broadband asymmetric applications in information encryption, THz wireless communication, and spectroscopy applications.

Wideband and Tunable Reflective Cross-Polarization Conversion Metasurface for TeraHertz Applications

An ultrathin and wideband reflective cross-polarization converter is presented in this paper. The design consists of a pair of modified dumbbell shaped resonators which are connected together with a conductive strip. The proposed single-layer THz metasurface achieved a high polarization conversion ratio (PCR) of <inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\ge$</tex-math></inline-formula> 95% in the operating frequency ranging from 1.76–4.26 THz. This wide-bandwidth cross-polarization conversion is obtained by exciting multiple closely spaced resonant frequencies at 1.98 THz, 2.61 THz, 2.95 THz, and 3.93 THz. The working mechanism of the proposed structure is analyzed and the polarizer exhibits an excellent angular stability upto 40 <inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$^{0}$</tex-math></inline-formula> of incidence. Further, the proposed cross-polarizer exhibits continuous tunability of PCR over the operating frequencies when photoconductive silicon (Si) is filled in the gap between pair of dumbbell-resonators. The wideband characteristics and the switchable property show that the proposed reflective cross polarizer is an excellent candidate for manipulation and control of polarization in THz communication systems.

Ultrawideband RCS Reduction of Planar and Conformal Surfaces Using Ultrathin Polarization Conversion Metasurface

A metasurface-based polarization converter for ultrawideband radar cross-section (RCS) reduction of planar and conformal surfaces is presented in this paper. Initially, a polarization converter is designed which consists of a modified concentric double (MCD) square ring resonator-based unit cell along with an air gap in between the substrate and the ground plane. This air gap enhances the polarization conversion bandwidth (PCBW) of the converter. An ultrawide PCBW ranging from 6.3 – 20.5 GHz (106%) is obtained with a high polarization conversion ratio (PCR) of 0.9 for normal incident EM waves. The conversion efficiency is also found to be stable for oblique incidences over the aforementioned band with a PCR of above 0.8 upto ±35° angles of incidence. Later on, a checkerboard configuration of the polarization conversion metasurface (PCMS) array and its mirror array is applied on a planar as well as on a cylindrical conformal surface for reducing the radar cross section (RCS). It is observed that a consistent 10 - dB co-polarized monostatic RCS reduction is achieved with the planar PCMS surface over an ultrawideband (5.5 – 20.5 GHz). Even with the cylindrical surface, nearly 10 dB RCS reduction is obtained upto central angles of 60° over a wideband. Both the structures are simulated and measured after fabrication, and a reasonably good agreement is obtained between them.

Pixelated metasurfaces for linear-polarization conversion and absorption

Terahertz metasurfaces with pixelated meta-atoms were designed for linear-polarization conversion and absorption. The differences between the two functionalities emerged from the number and arrangement of metal-dielectric combos patching some but not necessarily every pixel of each meta-atom. A patching arrangement for a meta-atom with pixels yielded polarization conversion ratio (PCR) over the 10.20–16.08 THz band, whereas another yielded absorptance (A) over the 27.67–28.73 THz band. A third patching arrangement delivered both functionalities, albeit in different spectral regimes: high PCR and high A at 13.92 THz and 29.1 THz, respectively. The spatial profiles of the electric and magnetic fields in each meta-atom suffice to explain the display of these functionalities. The generality of the pixelated meta-atom approach was supported by a meta-atom with pixels.

Ultrawideband and high-efficient polarization conversion metasurface based on multi-resonant element and interference theory.

In this work, an ultrawideband and high-efficient polarization conversion metasurface (PCM) is proposed, which can efficiently convert linearly polarized waves into cross-polarized waves in an ultra-wide frequency range. The unit cell of the proposed PCM is composed of two pairs of L-shaped metallic patches covered by a dielectric superstrate and an air-based substrate attached with a metallic ground. The PCM has an operating band from 3.37 to 22.07 GHz with the polarization conversion ratio (PCR) over 90% under the normal incidence, which the ratio bandwidth (fH/fL) is 6.5:1. The PCR can achieve 100% at seven resonant frequencies. The equivalent circuit model is analyzed to explain the fundamental cause of the PCM's multi-resonance and polarization conversion behaviors. In addition, all possible near-field interactions among the resonator, the superstrate, and the ground sheet can be accurately calculated using interference theory, which reveals the underlying physical mechanisms of the multi-resonance metasurface. The theoretical calculated, numerically simulated, and measured results are in good agreement. Compared to other PCMs, the proposed PCM has a simple geometry structure but an ultrawideband and high PCR property.

Terahertz broadband tunable reflective cross-polarization convertor based on complementary cross-shaped graphene metasurface

In this work, a broadband tunable reflective polarization convertor using a single layer complementary-cross-shaped (CCS) graphene metasurface was proposed and investigated numerically in terahertz (THz) region. The electric property of CCS graphene could be flexibly tuned through the Fermi energy level (Ef). When Ef = 0.9 eV, the proposed graphene metasurface can realize a relative high polarization conversion ratio (PCR) of over 80% from 2.15 THz to 4 THz with a relative bandwidth of 60.16%. Furthermore, the PCR peak can reach up to as high as 99%, 99.5% and 91.5% at 2.4 THz, 3.4 THz and 3.96 THz, respectively. The physical origins of this polarization conversion properties are turned out to be supported by field distributions and Fabry-Perot interference theory. Furthermore, the broadband polarization conversion properties will be regulated by varying the Fermi energy level.

Temperature-controlled terahertz polarization conversion bandwidth.

Active control of metasurfaces has attracted widespread attention because of the adjustable electromagnetic properties obtained. Here we designed and experimentally studied a dynamically controllable polarization converter in the terahertz band. By designing the structural parameters and utilizing the insulator-to-metal phase transition of vanadium dioxide and principle of current resonance, dynamic tunability of the polarization conversion function from dual-broadband (0.45∼0.77 THz and 0.97∼1.2 THz) to ultra-broadband (0.38∼1.20 THz) can be realized with a high polarization conversion ratio. The scheme proposed here can find potential applications in integrated terahertz systems, sensing, imaging and communications areas.

Meander-line based high-efficiency ultrawideband linear cross-polarization conversion metasurface

In this paper, a single-layer ultrawideband polarization conversion metasurface with high-efficiency is proposed. The top metallic structure is formed by folding the L-shaped structure in meanders, which can produce additional resonances and reduce the resonant frequency. Therefore, ultrawideband polarization conversion is realized (ranging from 7.79 to 30.22 GHz, covering C-, X-, Ku-, K-, and Ka-bands) with high polarization conversion ratio (>0.9), and the relative bandwidth is up to 118.02%. Numerical simulations are well supported by experimental measurements. The designed ultrawideband metasurface may have potentials in imaging systems and microwave communications.

Broadband terahertz polarization converter with anomalous reflection based on phase gradient metasurface

In order to expand the application situation of the polarization converter in terahertz band, a broadband polarization converter based on phase gradient metasurface is proposed for simultaneously manipulating the polarization and the wavefront of the reflected wave in terahertz region. Consisting of six different “H”-shaped resonators which can tune the phase and the polarization respectively, the polarization converter is able to deflect the normally incident terahertz wave with an anomalous reflection angle while changing the polarization. Geometric rotation and resonant frequency modulation constitute the phase variation of the unit, which can be superimposed on each other without interference. The simulation results show that the reflecting angle from 0.40 to 0.60 THz varies from 39° to 22° with side lobe level lower than −14 dB. Specific elucidation for high polarization conversion ratio is discussed through reflection phase and resonant branch analysis. Compared to the conventional polarization converter, the proposed one has an advantage in propagation manipulating, which reveals its potential application in THz detection, imaging and sensing, etc.

Graphene-based electrically controlled terahertz polarization switching between a quarter-wave plate and half-wave plate

We theoretically present a high-efficiency switchable reflective terahertz polarization converter composed of a periodic array of rectangular-shaped metal-dielectric-graphene sandwich structure on a dielectric substrate supported by a thick metallic film. Graphene sheet together with the rectangular-shaped metal patch provides tunable anisotropic hybrid magnetic plasmon resonance to obtain tunable phase delay of 90° and 180°, corresponding to a quarter-wave plate (QWP) and half-wave plate (HWP), respectively. Results of numerical simulations indicate that the proposed structure can switch functions between a QWP and HWP at a certain frequency simply by adjusting the Fermi energy of graphene. Both the QWP and HWP have high energy conversion efficiency, respectively 83% and 90% at 15.96THz, and high polarization conversion ratio closed to 1.