Vanadium oxide-based 16 × 16 reflectarray or FSS, reflect-transmitarray and FSS-based Cross-polarized wave absorber for future 6G applications

Abstract

In this paper, a novel unit cell-based array is designed and analyzed using a VO<inf>2</inf>-based intelligent ground plane. The proposed array can be used as reflectarray or frequency selective surface (FSS), FSS based cross-polarized wave absorber, and reflective-transmittive surface. The intelligent ground plane is made up of a cross-shaped slot, and it is filled with a thin vanadium dioxide (VO<inf>2</inf>) layer. The conductivity of the VO<inf>2</inf> material is temperature-sensitive and it is changed due to the applied external DC biasing. The tunability of VO<inf>2</inf> conductivity introduces the quad-function performance characteristics in a single array at 1-2 THz band. The first application of reflectarray is obtained by high DC (V<inf>1</inf> Volt) biasing, while the other three applications are achieved by low voltage V<inf>2</inf> (V<inf>2</inf> < V<inf>1</inf>). A polarization rotating unit cell (PRUC) is designed to enhance the bandwidth and to obtain a wide 180° phase shift. This novel compact array saves the cost and area for THz applications. The array consists of 16 × 16 elements which is illuminated by a normal incidence of pyramidal horn antenna. The total volume of the array is 1600 × 1600 × 2100 μm3. The performance characteristics of the individual unit cell and array with and without intelligent ground plane are simulated in CST Microwave Studio. © 2025 IOP Publishing Ltd. All rights, including for text and data mining, AI training, and similar technologies, are reserved.