Normal Incident Wave Research Articles

Full-space and wide field-of-view metalens based on 1D photonic crystal

As a novel optical element, metalens possess immense potential in the field of optical imaging. However, the development of full-space metalens, particularly those capable of manipulating normal and oblique incidence waves, remains challenging. By embedding 1D photonic crystal into a bilayer nanostructure, we proposed a full-space and wide field-of-view (FOV) metalens, which can independently manipulate reflected and transmitted waves in near-infrared (NIR) band. Simulation results demonstrate that our metalens can achieve good focusing effects in both the reflective and transmissive spaces at two different wavelengths under normal incidence. In addition, the metalens can still operate and maintain a good focusing effect at a wavelength of 1245 nm with an oblique incidence angle of −40° to 40°, at a wavelength of 1515 nm with an oblique incidence angle of −30° to 30°. Our work broadens the degree of freedom, establishes a connection between metasurfaces and photonic crystal, and provides an effective method for designing multifunctional meta-device, thereby demonstrating a huge applications potential in virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR) and other related fields.

Gradient metasurface covered with water-based channels for reconfigurable RCS reduction

A gradient metasurface covered with water-based channels (GMWC) is proposed for RCS (radar cross section) reduction reconfiguration. The amplitude and phase response of the metasurface unit covered by the water-based channel (WC) is altered, which results in a change in the monostatic scattering of the GMWC. Under the normal incidence of X-polarized plane waves, the RCS reduction of GMWC shows different levels when different water channels are activated. The simulated results show that the average RCS reduction of GMWC increases from 5 dB to 20 dB in 5 dB steps in the 6 GHz to 8.2 GHz frequency band under four different reconstruction states (10000;01000;00100;00001). Besides, GMWC has an average RCS reduction of 10 dB within UWB (4–18 GHz) under state 10000. Finally, GMWC is fabricated and measured, and the measured results are in agreement with the simulated results. The RCS reduction reconfiguration characteristic of GMWC has potential application in target camouflage.

Ultra-wideband solar absorber via vertically structured GDPT metamaterials

We explore a new solar absorber via vertically structured metamaterials integrating 2D graphene, dielectric layers of silica (SiO2), aluminum oxide (Al2O3), and phase-transition vanadium dioxide (VO2) graphene, dielectric, phase transition (GDPT), achieving broadband absorption and polarization independence. Applying the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method, the optical performance of the absorber is analyzed under the normal incidence of a plane wave spanning wavelengths from 250 to 4000 nm. Particularly, our investigation reveals a broad bandwidth exceeding 90 % absorption, spanning 3559 nm from 250 to 3809 nm, with an impressive average absorption efficiency of over 95.9 %. Significantly, the absorber demonstrates polarization independence and insensitivity to large angles of incidence, enhancing its practical capability. We illuminate the important role of Fabry-Perot resonance in absorption by precisely tuning layer thicknesses to induce interference effects. The integration of graphene, dielectric layers, and VO2, augmented by Fabry-Perot resonance, provides a vital foundation for high-performance solar energy conversion technology. This technology has important applications in efficient and broadband solar absorbers, and these absorbers can maintain high performance under different conditions. Our goal is to solve current technological challenges and contribute to the development of next-generation solar energy conversion for various photon technologies, such as energy harvesting, electromagnetic wave capture, and photovoltaic devices.

Graphene-based tunable broadband metamaterial absorber for terahertz waves

In order to overcome the limitations exhibited by traditional absorbers in electromagnetic wave absorption, such as the extremely narrow absorption bandwidth and uncontrollable absorption results, this paper proposes a novel tunable broadband metamaterial absorber based on graphene. Compared to other terahertz absorbers, the absorber designed in this study exhibits simpler structural design, compact form, thin thickness, efficient absorption performance, and a broader bandwidth. This absorber adopts a three-layer structure, including a patterned monolayer graphene metasurface, a dielectric layer, and a metal substrate. The structure of this patterned graphene consists of four triangular graphene resonators, achieving both high absorption efficiency and maintaining an exceptionally wide absorption bandwidth. The simulation results indicate that at a Fermi energy level Ef of 0.45 eV, the absorber achieves a broadband absorption rate of over 90 % in the 3.287 THz to 5.247 THz frequency range under normal terahertz wave incidence conditions. By analyzing different quantities of the triangular graphene structure on the top of the absorber, we found that the wide absorption bandwidth of the absorber is mainly attributed to the structural coupling of the top-layer graphene in the absorber. Furthermore, through the study of electric field amplitude and current distribution, we stumbled upon that when terahertz waves are incident on the absorber, due to the structural coupling between the graphene layers, electric resonance and magnetic resonance occur within the absorber, resulting in the absorption effect. Finally, through the study of geometric parameters, different polarization angles and oblique incidence angles of the incident waves, as well as different Fermi energy levels of graphene, we discovered that by adjusting the Fermi energy level of graphene, the bandwidth and absorption performance of the absorber can be flexibly tuned. In addition, this absorber exhibits wide-angle absorption characteristics and polarization-insensitive properties, providing potential application prospects in fields such as terahertz thermal imaging and stealth technology.

A study on water resonance between double baffle under oblique waves

This work investigates the interactions between oblique waves and a partially immersed double baffle. An analytical solution to this problem, based on the linear potential flow theory, has been found by utilizing the eigenfunction matching method. The resonance issues between the double baffle under the action of oblique waves is primarily investigated using this model, considering various relative widths, 2B/L (2B is the distance between the two baffles, L is the wave length), and the relative submergence, kD (k is the wavenumber, D is the submergence of the baffles). When resonance occurs, the transmission coefficient will rapidly increase to 1. By analyzing the relationship between the transmission coefficient and the relative width 2B/L, it is found that there are different resonance points and modes. The resonance points and modes depend on the submergence of baffles kD. This study provides a formula for calculating the resonance points. For a normal incident wave, when kD is below 1.0, the 1st-order resonance occurs in the small 2B/L region, resulting in a piston motion. High-order modes exhibit different forms, with standing waves occurring for kD ≥ 0.8, progressive waves for kD ≤ 0.48, and resonant modes ranging between standing and progressive waves for 0.48 <kD < 0.8. The effects of the incident angle on the resonance point and mode under oblique waves have also been investigated. The incident angle wave affects the interval between the two neighboring resonance points, which increases to 1/cosα times of the normal incidence for an angle of α. The resonance motion under oblique waves is nearly identical to that under the normal incident waves in the transverse plane. The difference is that there is a progressive wave in the longitudinal plane under the action of oblique waves.

Tunable elastic wave transmission and resonance in a periodically aligned tube-block structure

A tube-block structure is proposed to realize tunable elastic wave transmission and resonance, consisting of periodically aligned circular tubes sandwiched and joined by two blocks. Finite element simulations for a unit structure are carried out to reveal the frequency dependence of the transmission behavior for the normal incidence of longitudinal and transverse waves in the tube-block structure. As a result, the transmission ratios are found to take multiple local maxima at different peak frequencies. Eigenfrequency analysis shows that the local resonances of the tube and the block surfaces occur at the peak frequencies in the transmission ratios. The peak frequencies originating from the local resonance of the tube depend on its radius and thickness, while those from the resonance on the block surfaces are in good agreement with the theoretical relation between the interval of the periodically aligned tubes and the wavelength of the Rayleigh wave. Furthermore, when the tube-block structure is subjected to compressive loading, the deformation shifts the peak frequencies of the transmission ratio corresponding to the local resonance of the tube. This result implies that the proposed structure has the potential to serve as a tunable meta-interface between solid blocks.

Lightweight and broadband metamaterial absorber based on ITO impedance film

In this paper, we present a lightweight, broadband metamaterial absorber that exhibits polarization stability and is insensitive to incident angles. The absorber is composed of one layer of indium tin oxide impedance surface, three layers of quartz fiber composite material, and one layer of paper honeycomb on a metal sheet. Our proposed absorber has a 90 % absorptivity bandwidth of 13.19 GHz, ranging from 4.83 GHz to 18.12 GHz at TEM plane wave normal incidence, covering the entire X and Ku band. We illustrate the variation of design parameters and the distribution of electromagnetic field and current to investigate the absorption mechanism. To demonstrate the effectiveness of our design, we fabricate a prototype sample and measure its absorption performance. The results show a bandwidth of 12.38 GHz, ranging from 4.91 GHz to 17.29 GHz, with a low profile of 0.095λL at the lowest operating frequency. The experimental results are in good agreement with the numerical simulation, effectively verifying our proposed design.

An ultra-wide-angle metasurface absorber operating in the ultraviolet to visible range

Here, we propose an ultra-wide-angle metasurface absorber. It consists of a one-dimensional titanium grating periodic array with dislocation distribution. The average absorptivity of the absorber exceeds 94% in the ultraviolet to visible light band (200–760 nm) under normal TM-polarized incident wave. This benefits from the coupling of propagating surface plasmon resonance, local surface plasmon resonance, and hybrid mode resonance. For normal TE-polarized incident wave, the absorber achieves perfect narrowband absorption (>99.22%) in the ultraviolet light region because of the excitation of cavity-mode resonance. The absorber exhibits broadband absorption with an average absorptivity exceeding 85% in the visible light band because of the excitation of slot mode. These excellent absorption properties are well retained at 70° oblique incidence. The structural symmetry of the absorber dramatically expands the flexibility of device applications. It can achieve great absorption performance in an ultra-wide-angle range of 280° along the incident light direction. In addition, the absorber is sensitive to the polarization angle and incident angle of ultraviolet light, which can be used for ultraviolet detection and sensing. The proposed ultra-wide-angle metasurface absorber has potential application in the field of optical communication, photoelectric detection, and solar energy harvesting.

Programmable metasurfaces with high angular stability for arbitrarily-polarized obliquely-incident waves

Programmable metasurfaces show enormous potential in real-time electromagnetic (EM) manipulation and their stable responses to variable EM waves including incident angle and polarization changes are crucial for related applications. However, the demonstrated programmable metasurfaces are commonly considered in normal-incident waves with fixed polarization; how to achieve stable performance in more realistic scenarios of wide-angle and full-polarized wave incidences is still a challenge. Here, we propose and realize a wide-angle and full-polarization programmable metasurface, which can generate stabilized amplitude and phase responses at both transverse electric (TE) and transverse magnetic (TM) oblique incidences. These are achieved by introducing metallic walls around the metasurface element to reduce element coupling, which greatly improves the angular stability of its reflection responses. The mechanisms of angular insensitivity are analyzed comprehensively, and as a proof of concept, obliquely-incident beam steering, large-angle beam scanning and oblique vortex beam emitting are demonstrated on this programmable metasurface. Both the simulation and experimental results demonstrate that the programmable metasurface can operate well at both TE and TM wide-angle oblique incidences in the upper half space. Our work offers an actual route for improving the angular stability and polarization insensitivity of metasurfaces, which could push them one step closer towards more complicated applications.

Viscoelastic characterization of coating layers by ultrasonic interference and critical attenuation

This study proposes a characterization technique for a viscoelastic coating layer on a metal substrate immersed in water based on ultrasonic interference and critical attenuation phenomena. Theoretical analysis shows that the reflection spectrum for the normal incidence wave has local minima at the resonance frequencies of the coating layer, which provide its elastic property if the layer thickness is given a priori. Furthermore, it is revealed that the lower envelope of the reflection spectrum takes a minimum, whose frequency can be related to the critical attenuation condition. This feature implies a possibility that the viscous property of the coating material can be estimated by similarly measuring a characteristic frequency to the estimation of the elastic property. Two bonded specimens consisting of polycarbonate (PC) sheets and metal substrates were prepared to validate the proposed method. The reflection spectra measured for the normal wave incidence showed multiple local minima and critical attenuation, which are predicted to appear by theoretical predictions. The wave velocities and loss factors of PC estimated from the two specimens are in fair agreement with the properties shown in the previous paper. This result demonstrates that the ultrasonic interference and critical attenuation behavior can be applied to the characterization of the viscoelastic coating layers.

VO2 based multi-functional ultra-wideband terahertz meta-absorber for EMI shielding application

ABSTRACT This paper presents a multifunctional tuneable wideband metasurface absorber based on phase-changing Vanadium dioxide (VO2). The ‘quad isotropic VO2 circular sectors’ are constructed on amorphous silicon dioxide (SiO2), backed with 0.2 µm-thick gold layer to design the proposed absorber. This novel wideband tunable structure can independently be used as a reflector and absorber as an EMI shield; hence, this multi-functionality in a single structure proves novel and unique in the terahertz frequency range. This unit cell offers a bandwidth of 3.5 THz with more than 90% of absorptivity under normal wave incidence. The equivalent circuit model, surface currents, and field distributions are further investigated to provide a better understanding of structural evolution. Moreover, a wideband absorption has been observed up to the 60° incident angle for both the transverse modes, showing a polarization-insensitive behavior due to the symmetricity in the structure. The parametric study explores, optimizes, and demonstrates various other main characteristics and parameters of the proposed absorber. The novel structure offers shielding effectiveness (SE) higher than 40 dB throughout the frequency band under both normal and oblique incidence. This outstanding performance makes it a strong contender for EMI-EMC applications. Furthermore, it shows great potential in the field of terahertz technology, such as terahertz imagers, detectors, sensors, and other wideband applications.

Design and analysis of polarization-insensitive molybdenum-based ultra-wideband solar energy absorber with wide-incident-angle

We introduce an ultra-wideband absorber with a molybdenum and Al2O3 multilayer structure for solar energy harvesting. The proposed structure could maintain its structural integrity at high temperatures thanks to the refractory materials used in its construction. Under normal incidence of optical waves, absorption of more than 90% is achieved throughout a broad range of wavelengths from 300 nm to approximately 3177 nm with a bandwidth of 2877 nm which covers ultraviolet, visible, and near-infrared spectral bands. The average absorption in that band is calculated to be 96.46%. The proposed design’s symmetrical characteristic makes the absorber insensitive to the polarization of the incident optical wave. Furthermore, throughout a broad range of optical wave angles of incidence for both transverse electric and transverse magnetic polarizations, the absorber supports absorptivity greater than 80%.

Wave Basin Tests of a Multi-Body Floating PV System Sheltered by a Floating Breakwater

The development of floating photovoltaic systems (FPV) for coastal and offshore locations requires a solid understanding of a design’s hydrodynamic performance through reliable methods. This study aims to extend insights into the hydrodynamic behavior of a superficial multi-body FPV system in mild and harsh wave conditions through basin tests at scale 1:10, with specific interest in the performance of hinges that interconnect the PV panels. Particular effort is put into correctly scaling the elasticity of the flexible hinges that interconnect the PV modules. Tests of a 5 × 3 FPV matrix are performed, with and without shelter, by external floating breakwater (FBW). The results show that the PV modules move horizontally in the same phase when the wave length exceeds the length of the FPV system, but shorter waves result in relative motions between modules and, for harsh seas, in hinge buckling. Relative motions suggest that axial loads are highest for the hinges that connect the center modules in the system and for normal wave incidence, while shear loads are highest on the outward hinges and for oblique incidence. The FBW reduces hinge loads as it attenuates the high-frequency wave energy that largely drives relative motions between PV modules.

Meta-structure based on coupled resonators for low-frequency broadband sound absorption

This work investigates and explains the behavior of an acoustic meta-structure based on different coupled Helmholtz resonators (HR). The analytical formulation of the Maa model is used to represent both the acoustic impedance and the sound absorption mechanism of the absorber. The structures are numerically modeled using finite element method and validated experimentally in an impedance tube considering sound waves of normal incidence. The absorber samples were manufactured in ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) polymer material with the additive manufacturing technique by extrusion of material. The results of the impedance tube, numerical and theoretical tests showed agreement and the sound absorber showed a sub-wavelength scale with perfect sound absorption ( 0.97) and broadband of 292 Hz in the low frequency region (200 - 600 Hz). We deduced that the excellent experimental result obtained is due to the high resolution used in the sample manufacturing (± 0.1 mm) which minimized manufacture errors. Finally, the influences of the main parameters of the HR panel (width and depth of the micro-slit) on the sound absorption coefficient of the absorber were also analyzed.

Closed-form analytical model for plasmonic metasurfaces consisting of graphene disks

In this paper, a closed-form analytical model is proposed for the fundamental plasmon mode of a metasurface of graphene disks. First, we derive an equivalent admittance for the graphene metasurface at the normal incidence of a plane wave using the Rayleigh expansion. This admittance is then expressed as a series R-L-C circuit obtained by analyzing the integral equation that governs the surface current on the graphene disks. Finally, by using the equivalence substitution method, the equivalent circuit for this structure is fully analyzed. The accuracy of the model is verified by comparison with the results of full-wave simulations. Examples of applications are provided to predict tunable transmission resonances and design broadband absorbers, thus demonstrating their convenience for practical device design.

Wide-angle metalens array with quadratic phase for terahertz polarization detection

Abstract With the advances of micro/nano fabrication technology, metasurface has become an alternative to design functional devices for manipulating electromagnetic wave. Metalens is one of the basic electromagnetic functional devices that can be applied in various fields. Currently, polarization measurement based on metalens arrays has been widely investigated, but most of them can only work for normal incident wave due to the limited field-of-view of metalens. Herein, a dielectric wide-angle metalens array (WMA) for the terahertz polarization detection is presented. The WMA is composed of three wide-angle metalenses, each wide-angle metalens is constructed by utilizing quadratic phase profile. The angle tolerance of meta-atoms which constitute the wide-angle metalens is elucidated in detail. The WMA can decompose incident terahertz wave into four channels, and the full Stokes parameters of incident wave is determined by intensities in these four channels. Simulated results show that the WMA proposed here has excellent performance for the polarization detection within incident angle of ±40°. In addition, this WMA can also be used to detect the phase gradient of incident terahertz wave, the detection error is less than 1.1%. This WMA is promising in the fields of terahertz polarization generation, detection and imaging.

A revisit to the plane problem for low-frequency acoustic scattering by an elastic cylindrical shell

The proposed revisit to a classical problem in fluid–structure interaction is due to an interest in the analysis of the narrow resonances corresponding to a low-frequency fluid-borne wave, inspired by modeling and design of metamaterials. In this case, numerical implementations would greatly benefit from preliminary asymptotic predictions. The normal incidence of an acoustic wave is studied for a circular cylindrical shell governed by plane strain equations in elasticity. A novel high-order asymptotic procedure is established considering for the first time all the peculiarities of the low-frequency behavior of a thin fluid-loaded cylinder. The obtained results are exposed in the form suggested by the Resonance Scattering Theory. It is shown that the pressure scattered by rigid cylinder is the best choice for a background component. Simple explicit formulae for resonant frequencies, amplitudes, and widths are presented. They support various important observations, including comparison between widths and the error of the asymptotic expansion for frequencies.

Use of metamaterials to reduce underwater noise generated by ship machinery

Reducing underwater noise pollution from ship machinery is a significant challenge. Ship machinery usually operates at fixed speeds and emits tonal noise with large amplitudes at low frequencies. Conventional soundproofing materials are inadequate for absorbing tonal noise and require large thicknesses at low frequencies. Quarter-wavelength resonators effectively absorb sound at their fundamental frequency and odd harmonics. Still, the applicability of this solution is nevertheless limited by its length requirement, which becomes cumbersome at low frequencies and, thus, large wavelengths. This study explores different structured metamaterial designs based on labyrinth, coiled quarter-wavelength resonators, and hybrid configurations combining glass wool and coiled resonators. Analytical, numerical calculations, and experimental tests are carried out under normal plane wave incidence (using an impedance tube) and a diffuse acoustic field (in a small reverberant cabin). In particular, a numerical optimization based on a periodic unit cell model is used to optimize the hybrid configuration and analyze its behavior under variable plane wave incidence angles. Preliminary tests conducted in a water basin using a small, straightforward aluminum box equipped with some proposed designs indicate reductions in underwater noise levels. The proposed solutions offer limited-cost and compact solutions for mitigating machinery noise and, potentially, the preservation of marine ecosystems.

On the area-averaged effective sound absorption coefficient of porous materials excited by a monopole

The area-averaged effective sound absorption coefficient (SAC) of a rigid-backed homogeneous porous material subjected to a monopole excitation is calculated as the absorbed-to-incident sound power ratio. Using Allard's model to describe the sound propagation above the porous material, an analytical model for this power-based SAC is proposed and proves to give a good approximation of the sound absorption performance under monopole excitation of sufficiently large areas of material. The impact of factors on the power-based SAC, such as monopole height, material radial dimension used to calculate the sound powers, and material properties is discussed. The power-based SAC frequency-dependent behavior is analyzed through sound intensity field assessments at the material surface and is compared to normal incident plane wave and diffuse field SACs. The sound absorption behavior of sound absorbers under monopole excitation exhibits notable distinctions and peculiar results compared to those observed under plane wave and diffuse fields, particularly at low frequencies and for sources close to the material.

Comparison of a Circular Patch Unit Cell Performance for Reflector Applications between Using FR4 and F4BMX220 Substrates at 3.5 GHz Frequency

This paper presents a performance comparison of the circular patch unit cell as a unit cell for reflector application at 3.5 GHz frequency using a dielectric substrate between FR4 and F4BMX220 substrates. A circular patch is chosen as the unit cell of a reflector because it is commonly used, fabricated, and has a wider bandwidth compared to other structures. A performance comparison of the circular patch on both dielectric substrates is presented in a graph of S-parameters, reflection phase, and operating bandwidth, as well as in the table of dimensions, where the result is performed by simulation using CST software. Based on the simulated results, the F4BMX220 has a better performance compared to the FR4 in terms of the reflection value, operating bandwidth, and dielectric substrate thickness. However, a circular patch diameter when using the F4BMX220 is bigger than when using the FR4 substrate because the FR4 substrate has a higher dielectric constant than the F4BMX220, which is twice the F4BMX220 dielectric constant. Also, the F4BMX220 substrate has a narrower bandwidth compared to the FR4 substrate, which is a difference of around 0.1 GHz. The circular patch when using the F4BMX220 substrate has 0.96 of a reflection value, 0.007 of an absorption value, -6.77° of the reflection phase, and 0.24 GHz of the operating bandwidth at the normal incident wave angle (0°). Also, it can be properly worked if the incident wave angle is moving until 60°. The F4BMX220 substrate has the best performance compared to the FR4 substrate because the reflection value is much better value, even at the incident wave angle of 60°.