Multifunctional Metasurface: Simultaneous Beam Steering, Polarization Conversion and Phase Offset

TL;DR

This paper introduces a varactor-based reconfigurable metasurface capable of simultaneously steering beams, converting polarization, and adjusting phase offset, validated through simulation and experimental prototype testing.

Contribution

It presents a novel multifunctional metasurface design that integrates beam steering, polarization conversion, and phase offset control using varactors.

Findings

Successfully switches polarization states with >10 dB isolation

Achieves ±45° beam steering

Implements ±180° phase offset

Abstract

A varactor-based reconfigurable multifunctional metasurface capable of simultaneous beam steering, polarization conversion and phase offset is proposed in this paper. The unit cell is designed to naturally decompose the incident waves into two equal amplitude orthogonal linear components, and by integrating varactors, the reflection phase of the field components can be engineered from $-180^{\circ}$ to $180^{\circ}$.Taking advantage of the infinite states of the varactors, this design integrates a new function, the phase offset. After simulation validation of its capability, a four-layer $7$ by $6$ unit one-dimensional prototype is fabricated as a printed circuit board. It is experimentally demonstrated that it switches between X/Y and circular polarization with more than $10$ dB cross polarization isolation, while reaching $\pm45^{\circ}$ steering and $\pm180^{\circ}$ phase offset.