New Approach to Designing Functional Materials for Stealth Technology: Radar Experiment with Bilayer Absorbers and Optimization of the Reflection Loss

Abstract

Microwave power absorption by a two-layer system deposited on a metallic surface is studied in the experimental setup emulating the response to a radar signal. Layers containing hexaferrite and iron powder in a dried paint of thickness under 1 mm are used. The data is analyzed within a theoretical model derived for a bilayer system from the transmission line theory. A good agreement between experimental and theoretical results is found. The advantage of using a bilayer system over a single-layer system is demonstrated. How the maximum microwave absorption (minimum reflection) can be achieved through the optimization of the filling factors and thicknesses of the two layers is shown.