Broadband electrically tunable linear polarization converter based on a graphene metasurface

In this study, a broadband tunable reflective graphene-based linear polarization converter (GLPC) is proposed based on the graphene-ionic liquid-ITO structure (GIIS) integrated with a periodic double split ring resonator (DSRR) in the millimeter-wave regime. The tuning characteristic of the designed GLPC is analyzed using full-wave simulations and the equivalent circuit model method (ECM), which is based on multi-section transmission lines. There is a good agreement between ECM and simulation results. A comprehensive physical mechanism for the proposed broadband GLPC is then achieved by analyzing the surface current distributions. After manufacturing, the GLPC prototype's co- and cross-polarized reflection coefficients were measured using various bias voltages. The reflectivity can be controlled from -4.5 to -20 dB by changing the bias voltage in the range of +1.1 to -3.3 V. The designed GLPC can provide a tunable polarization conversion within the frequency range of 15.5 similar to 35 GHz and shows a more than 75% conversion efficiency. The results of the simulation and the measurement are also in good agreement. The designed GLPC has potential applications in radar cross-section reduction, antenna design, and stealth technology by reconfiguring its polarized reflection characteristic dynamically. (c) 2023 Optica Publishing Group under the terms of the Optica Open Access Publishing Agreement

Automated summary

A broadband tunable reflective graphene-based linear polarization converter (GLPC) integrated with a periodic double split ring resonator (DSRR) in the millimeter-wave regime is proposed in this study. The tuning characteristic of the GLPC is analyzed using full-wave simulations and the equivalent circuit model method (ECM). The GLPC prototype's co- and cross-polarized reflection coefficients were measured, and the reflectivity can be controlled by changing the bias voltage. The designed GLPC shows potential applications in radar cross-section reduction, antenna design, and stealth technology.