Appl. Phys.
A (2017)123:63
DOI 10.1007/s00339-016-0645-z
Dual-band metamaterial perfect absorber with nearly
polarization-independent
Osman Ayop1 • Mohamad Kamal A. Rahim1 • Noor Asniza Murad1
Noor Asmawati Samsuri1 • Farid Zubir1 • Huda A. Majid2
Received: 17 August 2016 / Accepted: 3 December 2016
Ó Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2016
Abstract This paper presents the analysis of dual-band
metamaterial perfect absorber (MPA) with nearly polar-
ization-independent in X-band frequency. The resonating
elements are designed using a rectangular ring structure, a
slotted cross-structure, and a cross-structure. The resonat-
ing elements are printed on the top surface of FR4 sub-
strate, while a full copper layer is printed at the opposite
surface. The performance of the dual-band MPA is
observed using CST software. From simulation, the pro-
posed structure achieves almost perfect absorbance, which
is 99.31 and 97.37% at 8 and 12 GHz, respectively, for
normal incident electromagnetic wave. For oblique inci-
dent angles, it is observed that the operating angle (50%
absorption limit) is 77° for both TE and TM polarizations.
1 Introduction
The use of metamaterials as EM absorber has attracted a lot
of attention since recent years. This unusual behavior is
first experimented by Landy et al. [1] using a combination
of electric resonator and cut wire. Thus, it performs the
opposite of efficient EM reflectors that are also designed
based on metamaterial structure [2]. Metamaterials can be
represented using effective medium theory, which involves
effective permittivity and permeability [3]. One example of
perfect dual-band metamaterial absorber (MMAbs) was
& Osman Ayop
osman@fke.utm.my
1
Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi
Malaysia, Johor Bahru, Malaysia
2
Faculty of Engineering Technology, Universiti Tun Hussein
Onn Malaysia, Johor, Malaysia
•
proposed by Zheng et al. in [4] using Fabry–Perot cavity
resonant. This MMAbs achieved almost perfect absorbance
for normal incident EM wave. However, the absorbing
frequencies change into single resonant frequency when
the incident angle is altered. Guo et al. [5] proposed triple-
band wide-angle MMAbs based on regular pentagon
closed-ring. The proposed structure is insensitive to all
polarization angle and working at very large operating
angle. However, to achieve such excellent performance,
three layers are needed where it can increase the overall
size and fabrication cost. Kim et al. [6] proposed dual-
broadband MMAbs based on metal–dielectric multilayer
truncated cones. The proposed structure is insensitive to all
polarization angles and working very well at incident angle
up to 45°. However, the design is rather complicated
because multi-layers metal–dielectric is needed in the form
of truncated cones. The overall thickness is also increased.
A dual-band MMAbs has been design in [7] using two
circular rings structure. The operating angle as large as 69°
is achieved. However, the absorbing magnitude for second
resonant is not as excellent as the first resonant. In this
paper, the proposed dual-band MPA does not only have
excellent absorbance for both resonant frequencies but it
can also improve the operating angle up to 77°.
2 Proposed design, simulation, and discussion
This paper proposed a dual-band MPA which can operate
at very wide incident angle and provides two resonant
frequencies with nearly perfect electromagnetic wave (EM)
absorption. The substrate used in this design is FR4-sub-
strate with has dielectric constant of 4.6, loss tangent of
0.019 and thickness of 0.8 mm. The resonating elements
are made by 0.035-mm-thick copper with a conductivity of
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63 Page 2 of 7 O. Ayop et al.

5.8 9 107 S/m. CST software is used to simulate the

structure. The simulation is done for normal incident EM
wave with different polarization angle and also for oblique
incident EM wave. For normal incident, the polarization
angle is set with five different angles to investigate the
polarization sensitivity of the structure. For oblique inci-
dent, the oblique angle is changed with 20° step angle until
the absorbing limit is reach 50%. There are two types of
oblique polarization which is TE polarization as shown in
Fig. 1a and TM polarization as shown in Fig. 1b.

2.1 Proposed dual-band MPA

The design of dual-band MPA is illustrated in Fig. 2. It

consists of a thin square ring structure, a slotted cross-
structure and a cross-structure. The proposed structure can
work nearly unity absorbance at two resonant frequencies.
The corresponding dimensions which have been labeled in
Fig. 1 are tabulated in Table 1. The dimension of the unit
cell (W 9 L 9 h) is approximately 3kg/5 9 3kg/5 9 kg/18
referring to the kg of the element with highest resonant
frequency. The proposed dual-band MPA is illustrated in
Fig. 2 Proposed structure of dual-band MPA
Fig. 1a. The dimensions of the structure are h = 0.8 mm,
t = 0.035 mm, W = L = 9 mm, L1 = W1 = 5.6 mm,
Table 1 Dimension of dual-band MPA
L2 = 1.4 mm, L3 = 1.375 mm, W2 = 1.5 mm, and
we = 0.25 mm as tabulated in Table 1. When observing Parameter Dimension (mm) Dimension in kg at resonance

W, L 9.000 0.636kg
W1, L1 5.600 0.396kg
L2 1.400 0.099kg
L3 1.375 0.097kg
W2 1.500 0.106kg
We 0.250 0.018kg
h 0.800 0.057kg
t 0.035 0.002kg

the physical dimension of the proposed dual-band MPA, it

is very thin compared to the operating wavelength. Prac-
tically, metamaterial structure is categorized as artificial
structure which can be scaled much smaller compared to
the operating wavelength. Therefore, the operating princi-
ple of this structure can be analyzed using equivalent lump-
elements circuit.

2.2 Performance of dual-band MPA normal

incident of EM wave

The simulated reflectance, transmittance, and absorbance

Fig. 1 Simulation setup for oblique incident angle: a TE polarization
and b TM polarization
of dual-band MPA is shown in Fig. 3. The transmittance,
T(x), is zero for all frequency due to the full copper layer
as ground plane. The absorbance, A(x), is determined by
reflectance, R(x) magnitude only. For normal incident
wave, R(x) are 0.69 and 2.63% so that A(x) are 99.31 and

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Dual-band metamaterial perfect absorber with nearly polarization-independent Page 3 of 7 63

1.0 lower resonant frequency at 8 GHz, the pattern of A(x) is

almost unchanged for all calculated polarization angles
0.8 with frequency variation between 7.94–8.00 GHz
(Dfr1 = 0.06 GHz). However, slight frequency variation is
Magnitude (Linear)

observed for higher resonant frequency which is between

0.6
11.83 and 12.01 GHz (Dfr2 = 0.18 GHz). The simulated
result confirmed that the proposed structure is nearly
0.4 insensitive to the polarization angle of incident EM wave.

A(ω)
0.2 R(ω)
2.4 Performance of dual-band MPA for oblique
T(ω) incident of EM wave
0.0
6 8 10 12 14 This section presents the performance of dual-band MPA
Frequency (GHz) for oblique incident EM wave. Firstly, the absorbing
behavior for TE polarization is observed. The result is
Fig. 3 Simulated transmittance, reflectance, and absorbance of dual- presented in Fig. 5. The magnitude of A(x) for dual-band
band MPA
MPA is observed every 20° step angle until the absorbance
reach at least 50%. It is observed that for both resonant
97.37% at 8 and 12 GHz, respectively. The corresponding
frequencies, the A(x) remain high for incident angle as
FWHM bandwidths are 5.01% (7.79–8.19 GHz) and 3.42%
large as 60° which is more than 82%. Next, the incident
(11.79–12.20 GHz). The absorbance at two resonant fre-
angle is altered until the A(x) become at least 50%. It is
quencies is almost 100% indicates that perfect absorbance
observed that the operating angle for TE mode,
is achieved.
hmTE = 77°. It is observed that the A(x) for second reso-
nant decreased rapidly and become around 50% at 70°.
2.3 Performance of dual-band MPA for different
Contrarily, the first resonant still manages to achieve
polarization angle
A(x) = 59.34% for the same incident angle. The exact
resonant frequencies and their corresponding A(x) are
In practical, EM wave may be excited from various inci-
tabulated in Table 2. It shows that the resonant frequency
dent angles whether from direct incident, reflection or
for the first resonant vary between 8.00 and 8.23 GHz
refraction. It also has different polarization condition.
(Dfr1 = 0.23 GHz). For second resonant, it vary between
Therefore, it is important to design MMAbs that is capable
12.00 and 12.21 GHz (Dfr2 = 0.21 GHz).
to absorb incident EM wave with any polarization state and
The absorbing behavior of the dual-band MPA in TE
incident angle. Hence, to observe the polarization behavior
and TM polarization can be explained using the concept of
of the proposed MPA, it has been simulated in five dif-
impedance matching between the absorber and the free
ferent polarization angles with step angle of 22.5° between
space. To obtain perfect absorption, the effective
0° and 90°. The simulated results are plotted in Fig. 4. For

1.0
1.0 0o
o
20o
0
40o
22.5o 0.8
60o
45o
Absorbance, A( ω )

0.8 77o
67.5o
Absorbance, A(ω )

90o
0.6
0.6

0.4
0.4

0.2
0.2

0.0
0.0 6 8 10 12 14
6 8 10 12 14 Frequency (GHz)
Frequency (GHz)
Fig. 5 Simulated absorbance, A(x) for TE polarization of incident
Fig. 4 Simulated absorbance, A(x) for different polarization angle EM wave

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Table 2 Details of simulated absorbance of dual-band MPA in TE with TE polarization. The detail A(x) and its corresponding
polarization resonant frequency are tabulated in Table 3. It shows that
Incident angle First resonant Second resonant the resonant frequency for the first resonant vary between
(h°) 7.95 and 8.21 GHz (Dfr1 = 0.26 GHz). For second reso-
Frequency A(x) Frequency A(x)
(GHz) (%) (GHz) (%) nant, it vary between 11.83 and 12.19 GHz (Dfr2 = 0.36 -
GHz). For TM polarization, the magnetic component of EM
0 8.00 99.31 12.00 97.37 wave is always parallel with the surface of the dual-band
20 8.11 99.82 12.08 98.97 MPA, while the electric component is varied as the incident
40 8.20 99.20 12.21 95.87 angle changed. The magnetic resonant can be obtained
60 8.20 89.36 12.17 82.98 under different excitation angle under TM polarization.
77 8.23 59.34 12.20 52.14 However, the electric component which provides electric
resonant reduced under large oblique incident angle and
causes the impedance mismatch.
permittivity, (x), of the structure must be in the same
magnitude with effective permeability, l(x). Therefore, 2.5 Field distribution and surface currents
the electric and magnetic resonant can be achieved
simultaneously. For TE polarization, the electric compo- Next, the field distribution and surface currents of dual-
nent of the incident EM wave must be parallel with the band MPA are investigated at resonant frequencies. Since
surface of dual-band MPA for all oblique incident angles. the proposed design has two resonant frequencies, the
Therefore, the electric resonant can be obtained. In con- simulation is conducted at both frequencies which are 8
trast, the excitation angle of magnetic component is varied and 12 GHz, respectively.
as the oblique incident changed. As the excitation angle Firstly, the simulated E-field distribution as shown in
increase, the ability of magnetic field to penetrate the Fig. 7a, b will be discussed. At 8 GHz, the E-field distri-
substrate and drives the magnetic flux inside the substrate bution is very strong at the top and bottom arms of the
is reduced. Therefore, the magnetic resonance becomes square ring structure that is located vertically. This indi-
less and causes the impedance mismatch. cates that the structure is strongly couples with the incident
Next, the simulated absorbance of dual-band MPA for E-field that is oscillating in the vertical direction. The E-
TM polarization incident EM waves is presented as shown field distribution becomes weaker when approaching the
in Fig. 6. Similar with TE polarization, the magnitude of horizontal part of the structure. At 12 GHz, strong E-field
A(x) is observed every 20° until the absorbance becomes at distribution is observed at the top and bottom arms of the
least 50%. When absorbing the absorbing behavior for TM slotted cross-structure that is located vertically indicates
polarization, the result is almost similar to the TE polar- that strong incident E-field is coupled with the structure.
ization. This may be due to the symmetrical property of the Some significantly high magnitude of E-field is also
structure. The operating angle which the A(x) can maintain observed at the cross-structure indicates that it support the
at least 50% for TM mode, hmTM = 77° which is the same higher resonant. Similarly, the magnitude of E-field
becomes weaker when approaching the horizontal part of
1.0
the structure. Strong electric excitation occurs at resonant
0o
frequencies that yield the electric resonant. The same
20o behavior is observed for H-Field as shown in Fig. 7c, d.
0.8 40o
60o Contrarily, the concentration of H-field distribution is high
Absorbance, A(ω )

77o

0.6
Table 3 Details of simulated absorbance of dual-band MPA in TM
polarization
0.4
Incident angle First resonant Second resonant
(h°)
Frequency A(x) Frequency A(x)
0.2 (GHz) (%) (GHz) (%)

0 7.95 99.53 11.83 97.55

0.0
6 8 10 12 14 20 8.10 99.83 12.04 99.17
Frequency (GHz) 40 8.17 99.15 12.14 95.70
60 8.21 89.30 12.16 83.19
Fig. 6 Simulated absorbance, A(x) for TM polarization of incident 77 8.21 59.08 12.19 52.04
EM wave

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Dual-band metamaterial perfect absorber with nearly polarization-independent Page 5 of 7 63

Fig. 7 Simulated E-field and

H-field distribution at 8.00 and
12.00 GHz

(a) E-field at f = 8.00 GHz (b) E-field at f = 12.00 GHz

(c) H-field at f = 8.00 GHz (d) H-field at f = 12.00 GHz

weak strong

at the horizontal part of the structures which is parallel with
the incident magnetic field.
Next, the investigation is continued by observing the
surface currents of the dual-band MPA at the resonating
elements and bottom ground plane. Referring to Fig. 8a,
the surface current is strong at the square ring structure
indicates that the 8 GHz resonant is contributed by the
square ring structure. For 12 GHz as shown in Fig. 8b,
strong surface current is observed at the slotted cross-
structure which contributes to the resonant. The pattern of
currents flow is the same for both cases, which is in the
form of dipole-moment where the currents are going up
and down alternately at the left and right parts of the square
ring and the slotted cross-structure. This indicates that
electric excitation is formed at resonant. For both resonant
frequencies, it is observed that some currents are also
flowing at the neighboring element but with the opposite
direction. Thus, it proves that an electric wall is created
between two resonating elements that yield a capacitive
coupling. It will contribute to an electric absorption.
When absorbing the currents flow on the ground plane,
the dipole-moment pattern is also observed. However, the

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Fig. 8 Simulated surface
currents at resonating elements:
(a), (b), and ground plane: (c),
(d) at two resonant frequencies
(a) f = 8.00 GHz
(c) f = 8.00 GHz
magnitude is much smaller compared at the resonating
elements and also more disperse. When comparing the
currents flow at the resonating element and ground plane,
the direction of the current is always anti-parallel. It proves
that counter circulating displacement current exit in the
dielectric substrate between two metallic layers which is
also supported by the incident magnetic field. Therefore,
strong magnetic excitation is formed that contributes to the
magnetic resonant. The combination of electric and mag-
netic excitation form electric quadruple response at two
resonant frequencies yield a strong electromagnetic
absorption.
3 Conclusion
In conclusion, this paper presents the design and analysis of
dual-band MPA that can work for dual-band application.
The combination of a square ring structure, a slotted cross-
structure and a cross-structure provides dual-band fre-
quency absorption. Since the resonating elements are
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O. Ayop et al.
(b) f = 12.00 GHz
(d) f = 12.00 GHz
nearly symmetry, this kind of absorber is nearly insensi-
tive. To determine the operating angle of the structure for
oblique incident angle, the structure is simulated in both
TE and TM polarization. The operating angle of the
structure is very large which is 77° for both TE and TM
polarization.
Acknowledgements The authors thank the Ministry of Education
(MOHE), Research Management Centre (RMC), School of Post-
graduate Studies (SPS), Communication Eng. Department, Faculty of
Electrical Eng. (FKE), and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM),
Johor Bahru, for the support of the research under Grant Numbers
09H83. Next, many thank to Faculty of Engineering Technology,
Universiti Tun Hussein Onn, Malaysia, for supporting the research
under Grant Numbers U435. Lastly, the authors would also like to
acknowledge all members of Advanced RF and Microwave Research
Group (ARFMRG).
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