Perspectives

Abstract

With simple design and geometrical scalability, the investigated metamaterial (MM) absorbers might operate at higher or lower frequency with perfect absorption and be modified to reveal other capabilities relevant to the practical applications . The absorbers for GHz and MHz ranges are being developed to cover wider spectral regime, and to be independent of polarization and the incident angle of incident EM wave, which can be used in suppressing the radiation from mobile and other electric equipments. For MMs operating in the GHz and the lower-frequency ranges, another important challenging aspect should be overcome: the relatively (to the working wavelength) smaller size of the unit cell. The flexible MMPAs made by simpler fabrication processes come to be achieved. The present MMPAs also need simpler design, easier fabrication, lower production cost, and higher fabrication tolerance. Multi-band MMPAs using single pattern are interesting for the simple fabrication and the relevant advantages. Stealth science and technology based on microwave (L, X and K_u bands) MMPAs are going to be further developed. We feel confident that the MM revolution in the field of absorption has just started, and will present exciting new developments in the realm of practical applications in the coming years by overpassing the entry barrier and replacing the conventional applications using existing materials/structures, and by exploiting new ones. The industrial applications of MMs will be accelerated, which is the transition of MMs from basic and applied research into real world applications.