Selective dual-band metamaterial perfect absorber for infrared stealth technology

Abstract

We propose a dual-band metamaterial perfect absorber with a metal–insulator–metal structure (MIM) for use in infrared (IR) stealth technology. We designed the MIM structure to have surface plasmon polariton (SPP) and magnetic polariton (MP) resonance peaks at 1.54 μm and 6.2 μm, respectively. One peak suppresses the scattering signals used by laser-guided missiles, and the other matches the atmospheric absorption band, thereby enabling the suppression of long-wavelength IR (LWIR) and mid-wavelength IR (MWIR) signals from objects as they propagate through the air. We analysed the spectral properties of the resonance peaks by comparing the wavelength of the MP peak calculated using the finite-difference time-domain method with that obtained by utilizing an inductor–capacitor circuit model. We evaluated the dependence of the performance of the dual-band metamaterial perfect absorber on the incident angle of light at the surface. The proposed absorber was able to reduce the scattering of 1.54 μm IR laser light by more than 90% and suppress the MWIR and LWIR signatures by more than 92%, as well as maintain MWIR and LWIR signal reduction rates greater than 90% across a wide temperature range from room temperature to 500 °C.

A Multilayer Film Based Selective Thermal Emitter for Infrared Stealth Technology

“…Contrary to radiative coolers, infrared stealth technology, which is widely utilized by aircrafts, tanks, ships, missiles, and satellites to make them “invisible” to infrared detection equipment, demands the suppression of thermal radiation energy in the two atmospheric windows (3–5 and 8–14 µm) representing the main transmission channels for electromagnetic waves in the atmosphere . The thermal radiation energy, defined as the radiance exitance P , radiated from an object can be suppressed by both reduction of the emissivity and the real temperature, according to the Steven–Boltzmann Law, P = εσT 4 , where σ is the Steven–Boltzmann constant and ε and T are the emissivity and absolute temperature of the object, respectively.…”

Right-Angle Shaped Elements as Dual-Band Metamaterial Absorber in Terahertz

“…The recent surge in the study of terahertz-based metamaterials is due to their unusual electromagnetic (EM) behavior [1,2] and hence unique applications [3]. The unconventional properties of metamaterials emerge due to their negative refractive indices, which is impossible to be observed in naturally existing materials [4][5][6].…”

“…Moreover, resonant metamaterial absorbers in the THz range are relatively easy to be manufactured due to their relatively large sizes in the micrometer range. The applications of resonant metamaterial absorbers include civilian and military products in the form of thermal detectors or coating layers [3,33,34].…”

Skew symmetric structure for ultra-broadband electromagnetic absorbing

“…Since then, the metamaterial absorbers have been widely studied and their absorption spectra have covered the microwave [2,3], terahertz (THz) wave [4,5], infrared wave [6,7] and visible light [8,9]. Their advantages of ultra-thin and high-absorption provide possibility of improving the stealth performance of specific equipment [10]. However, narrow bandwidth resulting from their resonant nature has raised doubts concerning their usefulness.…”