Programmable multifunctional metasurface for polarization, phase, and amplitude manipulation

Metasurfaces have shown extraordinary capability in individually manipulating various electromagnetic (EM) properties, including polarization, phase, and amplitude. However, it is still a challenge to manipulate these EM properties in one metasurface simultaneously. In this paper, a programmable multifunctional metasurface (PMFMS) is demonstrated with polarization, phase, and amplitude manipulation abilities. By controlling tunable coding states and changing the direction of incident waves, the PMFMS can operate as a transmission cross-polarization converter, spatial wave manipulator, and low-RCS radome. Besides, the PMFMS possesses an ultra-wideband property, which can operate from 6.5 to 10.2 GHz with 44.3% relative bandwidth. More importantly, multiple functionalities can also be achieved in reflection operating mode by reassembling the PMFMS. As a proof of concept, the PMFMS is fabricated and experimentally verified. Measured results are in good agreement with simulated results. Benefiting from multifunctional EM manipulations in an ultra-wideband, such a design can be applied in wireless communication systems, radar detection, and EM stealth platform.(c) 2023 Optica Publishing Group under the terms of the Optica Open Access Publishing Agreement

Automated summary

This paper demonstrates a programmable multifunctional metasurface with the ability to manipulate polarization, phase, and amplitude simultaneously. By controlling coding states and incident wave direction, it can function as a transmission cross-polarization converter, spatial wave manipulator, and low-RCS radome.