Cut-wire metasurface embedded in magnetic mediums for ultra-wideband polarization-insensitive absorber with environmental adaptability.

• The proposed UWMA has excellent electromagnetic stealth performance and is suitable for various complex applications. • The perfect combination of cut-wire metasurface with local-chiral characteristics and magnetic mediums enhances the intrinsic attenuation while also reduces the deterioration of absorption property caused by constructive interference. • The effective absorption bandwidth of UWMA can reach 15.1 GHz with a thickness of only 3.9 mm. Metamaterials with artificial designability and perfect absorption provide a novel design method for the manipulation and attenuation of microwaves. However, owing to the limitations of meta-atomic resonance effect and the lossless medium, it is difficult to achieve effective microwave absorption in a broadband frequency range. Hence, an ultra-wideband metamaterial absorber (UWMA) composed of two magnetic media and a metasurface was designed, and the absorption bandwidth of 2.9 to 18 GHz for 90% absorptivity under normal incidence was achieved, covering almost the entire S, C, X, and Ku bands. Through detailed investigation of equivalent circuit, equivalent medium theory, electromagnetic field distribution and front-back interface interference, the internal physical working mechanism was clarified essentially. In addition, the multi-environment adaptabilities of the proposed absorber, including polarization sensitivity, large angle incidence, dual-station radar stealth, bearing capacity and corrosion resistance, were analyzed. The proposed metamaterial absorber presents an effective way to achieve ultra-wideband absorption and compatibility with environmental adaptability, and provides a new way of thinking for intelligent full-band stealth technology. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]