An efficient reflective polarization rotation meta surface for broadband RCS reduction

A compact and broadband reflective polarization rotation meta surface (PRMS) with high polarization conversion ratio (PCR) and radar cross section (RCS) reduction is proposed. A linearly polarized incident electromagnetic (EM) wave is reflected with 90° polarization rotation using the proposed PRMS. The reflective PRMS unit cell consists of complementary stacked quasi fractal patch along with logarithmic stepped patch. This reflective PRMS is printed on stacked FR4 substrates covered by FR4 superstrate and is backed by a ground plane. The patches are connected to the metallic ground using non symmetric metallic vias and the overall dimension of the unit cell in terms of its minimum operating wavelength is only 0.088λ0 × 0.088λ0 × 0.082λ0. A polarization bandwidth of 97.69% with a maximum PCR of 99% is achieved. Further, the proposed reflective PRMS is arranged periodically in a checkerboard surface to obtain a broadband RCS reduction of 10 dB in the required band. A prototype of the checkerboard surface is fabricated and tested for the validation of simulation results. A good pact is obtained between the simulation and experimental results.