Synthesized optimal design via Parallel Genetic Algorithm of multispectral metasurfaces with ultra-wideband microwave absorption, low infrared emissivity and visible transparency

Abstract With the rapid development of multi-sensor detection technology, the demand for multispectral camouflage materials or devices becomes more and more necessary. In this work, a multispectral metasurface (MSM) is designed using Parallel Genetic Algorithm (PGA) to achieve simultaneously ultra-wideband microwave absorption and low infrared emissivity, together with visible transparency. In order to achieve visible transparency, all the raw materials are transparent at visible spectrum. To achieve low emissivity at infrared, a layer of periodic conducting patches with high occupation ratio (OR) is put on the top surface of the MSM. To realize microwave absorption, an electromagnetic absorbing layer is designed using PGA and is put just under beneath the low-infrared layer. In order to verify this method, a prototype was fabricated and measured. The simulated and measured results are well consistent, which convincingly verifies our design. The microwave absorption keeps above 90% in 5.8–27.8 GHz and the mean infrared emissivity is reduced down to 0.32 in 3.0–14.0 μm. Meanwhile, optical transparency is maintained. This work provides a parallel-optimization method of designing multispectral metasurfaces, which can be readily extended to other application scenarios.