FR2/mmWave, N258 and N261 Bands, 5G Frequency-Compatible Ultra-Thin Metamaterial Absorber with Polarization Insensitivity for EMI shielding Applications

Since adopting 5G technology, a notable rise in the prevalence of electromagnetic (EM) waves in the environment has become a significant concern. To reduce EM interference, broadband metamaterial absorbers offer an alternative solution for protecting devices in defense, communication, and healthcare applications, unlike their narrowband counterparts. This article presents a numerical investigation of an ultra-thin, polarization-insensitive metamaterial absorber (MMA) that uses metasurfaces and provides electromagnetic interference (EMI) reduction, covering the FR2/mmWave licensed N258 and N261 bands with an oblique incidence angle of up to 15 degrees. Comprehensive simulations are performed within the CST Studio Suite S2 2023 to examine the absorber's performance. Under normal incidence, the proposed MMA exhibits a wideband absorbency response exceeding 90% within the frequency range of 24.30–28.12 GHz. Moreover, the physical absorption mechanism is explained with electric and magnetic field distributions, including surface current distributions. Confirmation of the lack of mutual interaction among neighboring unit cells is established through testing with 1 × 2 and 2 × 2 arrays. An equivalent circuit model is also developed to confirm the EM simulation findings. The notable features of the proposed MMA make it an exceptional candidate for EM shielding applications, providing EMI reduction and covering the N258 and N261 bands.