Multifunctional Transparent Electromagnetic Surface Based on Solar Cell for Backscattering Reduction

Advanced electromagnetic (EM) surfaces, namely, metasurfaces, are designed for multifunctional purposes. A glass material with a chessboard configuration is exploited to realize nonabsorbing coating for backscattering reduction. Simultaneously, a solar cell is implemented above the metallic target for light energy harvesting using the transparency feature of the coat. Therefore, two separated aims are obtained in one structure using the plexiglass material and mono solar cell. Initially, the EM wave interactions with both materials are determined. Then, by the use of the wave interactions and scattering theory, two different surfaces are analytically investigated with the aim of transparent backscattering reduction cover. Next, an optimization algorithm is employed to achieve the minimum reflection from the adjacent surfaces. To validate the design performance, a prototype is manufactured. The proposed chessboard cover with plexiglass material is numerically and experimentally analyzed and compared together, having an acceptable agreement. The experimental results indicate a 75% bandwidth for backscattering reduction. In addition, the proposed structure can give promising opportunities to enhance the scattering properties with simultaneous power harvesting, which could generate critical advantages for real-world applications.