Flexible terahertz metamaterial is useful in stealth applications

Jan. 1, 2012
A flexible metamaterial film created by researchers at the Technical University of Denmark and Boston University drastically reduces reflection of terahertz radiation, and can serve as a "stealth" material to minimize objects' radar cross-section at terahertz frequencies.

A flexible metamaterial film created by researchers at the Technical University of Denmark (Lyngby, Denmark) and Boston University (Boston, MA) drastically reduces reflection of terahertz radiation, and can serve as a "stealth" material to minimize objects' radar cross-section at terahertz frequencies. The material was wrapped around a metallic cylinder for test, reducing the cylinder’s cross-section by close to 400 times at 0.87 THz.

The film consists of a 12-μm-thick polyimide (PI) layer, a 200-nm-thick layer of gold (Au), a second 12-μm-thick layer of PI, and a second 200-nm-thick layer of Au patterned by photolithography. The pattern is a periodic array of split-ring resonators with a unit cell size of 75 μm and a resonator side length of 54.5 μm. Total active area is 20 × 10 mm, spanned by two 10 × 10 mm inactive areas so the cylinder could be rotated to vary reflectivity. For radar tests, electro-optically generated terahertz pulses showed a reduction in cross-section by an average factor of at least 10 in the ±20° angular range. Contact Peter Uhd Jepsen at [email protected].

About the Author

John Wallace | Senior Technical Editor (1998-2022)

John Wallace was with Laser Focus World for nearly 25 years, retiring in late June 2022. He obtained a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering and physics at Rutgers University and a master's in optical engineering at the University of Rochester. Before becoming an editor, John worked as an engineer at RCA, Exxon, Eastman Kodak, and GCA Corporation.

Sponsored Recommendations

March 31, 2025
Enhance your remote sensing capabilities with Chroma's precision-engineered optical filters, designed for applications such as environmental monitoring, geospatial mapping, and...
March 31, 2025
Designed for compatibility with a wide range of systems, Chroma's UV filters are engineered to feature high transmission, superior out-of-band blocking, steep edge transitions...
March 31, 2025
Discover strategies to balance component performance and system design, reducing development time and costs while maximizing efficiency.
March 31, 2025
Filter accessories including cubes, sliders, and rings, designed to enhance the performance and versatility of optical systems. These components ensure precise alignment and stability...

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of Laser Focus World, create an account today!