Achieving broadband RCS reduction on curved surfaces through gradient unit design and partition layout strategy

Novel metastructure designs can efficiently manipulate electromagnetic responses. However, achieving exceptional electromagnetic manipulation capabilities in conformal states remains challenging. Herein, we proposed an innovative method that integrates gradient units with the partition layout strategy to facilitate broadband radar cross section (RCS) reduction under different curvatures. The proposed metastructure demonstrates broadband impedance matching characteristics through a gradient multi-layer design and exhibits strong adaptability to complex structures owing to the application of additive manufacturing technology. It demonstrates a remarkable -10 dB RCS reduction across a wide frequency bandwidth of 5.4–18 GHz in its planar state by integrating the micro-material composition and macro-geometry design while maintaining RCS reduction within the central angle range up to 90°. This paper presents a straightforward and innovative approach for constructing conformal metastructures, highlighting their potential applications in both military and civilian domains.