Origami metamaterials for ultra-wideband and large-depth reflection modulation

• Published in: Nature communications Vol. 15; no. 1; pp. 3181 - 9
• Main Authors: Song, Zicheng, Zhu, Juan-Feng, Wang, Xianchao, Zhang, Ruicong, Min, Pingping, Cao, Wenxin, He, Yurong, Han, Jiecai, Wang, Tianyu, Zhu, Jiaqi, Wu, Lin, Qiu, Cheng-Wei
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Nature Publishing Group UK 12.04.2024; Nature Publishing Group; Nature Portfolio
• Subjects: 142/126; 639/624/1075; 639/624/399; Angle of reflection; Bandwidths; Cost analysis; Dynamic control; Effectiveness; Electromagnetic radiation; Flexible components; Humanities and Social Sciences; Industrial development; Lightweight; Metamaterials; Modulation; multidisciplinary; Multipoles; Optical properties; Satellite communications; Science; Science (multidisciplinary); Ultrawideband
• ISSN: 2041-1723; 2041-1723
• DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46907-3

The dynamic control of electromagnetic waves is a persistent pursuit in modern industrial development. The state-of-the-art dynamic devices suffer from limitations such as narrow bandwidth, limited modulation range, and expensive features. To address these issues, we fuse origami techniques with metamaterial design to achieve ultra-wideband and large-depth reflection modulation. Through a folding process, our proposed metamaterial achieves over 10-dB modulation depth over 4.96 – 38.8 GHz, with a fractional bandwidth of 155% and tolerance to incident angles and polarizations. Its ultra-wideband and large-depth reflection modulation performance is verified through experiments and analyzed through multipole decomposition theory. To enhance its practical applicability, transparent conductive films are introduced to the metamaterial, achieving high optical transparency (>87%) from visible to near-infrared light while maintaining cost-effectiveness. Benefiting from lightweight, foldability, and low-cost properties, our design shows promise for extensive satellite communication and optical window mobile communication management. The researchers fuse metamaterials and origami technical to achieve ultra-wideband and large-depth reflection modulation. Flexible electronics amplify its lightweight, transparency, and cost-effectiveness, making it ideal for satellite communications.