A genetic algorithm approach to the design of ultra-thin electromagnetic bandgap absorbers

A design methodology is presented for utilizing electromagnetic bandgap metamaterials, also known as artificial magnetic conductors, to realize ultra-thin absorbers. One approach that has recently been proposed is to place a resistive sheet in close proximity to a frequency-selective surface acting as an artificial magnetic conductor. However, we demonstrate in this paper that incorporating the loss directly into the frequency selective-surface can eliminate the additional resistive sheet, thereby further reducing the overall thickness of the absorber. The geometrical structure and corresponding resistance of this lossy frequency-selective surface is optimized by using a genetic algorithm to achieve the thinnest possible absorber. Two examples of genetically engineered electromagnetic bandgap metamaterial absorbers are presented and discussed. (C) 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.