Design of a Frequency Selective Surface-Based Electromagnetic Absorber for X-Band Applications

Sena Esen Bayer Keskin; Cem Güler; Erol Türkeş

Design of a Frequency Selective Surface-Based Electromagnetic Absorber for X-Band Applications

Abstract

This study presents a comprehensive classification and analysis of electromagnetic wave absorbers based on material composition, configuration form, geometric shape, and frequency characteristics. A comparative evaluation of various absorber configurations including flat-plate, quarter-wavelength (λ/4), multilayer, Jaumann, sawtooth/chevron, pyramidal, and metamaterial or frequency selective surface (FSS)-based structures is conducted to highlight their distinct performance attributes. The classification by configuration form is emphasized as a key factor influencing design parameters and application suitability, while the classification by frequency characteristics provides a critical framework for performance assessment. It is observed that multilayer configurations enhance bandwidth performance at the expense of increased cost and fabrication complexity, whereas metamaterial-based designs enable tunable transitions between narrowband, broadband, and ultra-wideband absorption regimes. Building upon these insights, an original FSS-based absorber is proposed to achieve efficient absorption in the X-band, specifically at 10 GHz a frequency crucial for radar, satellite, and high-frequency communication applications. The proposed unit cell comprises a central circular ring connected to four quarter-circular discs positioned at the corners, patterned on a 1.6 mm thick double-layer FR-4 substrate (εr = 4.3) with a metallic top layer and a full ground plane. The design is optimized and analyzed using CST Studio Suite with Floquet ports and periodic boundary conditions to accurately model its electromagnetic behavior. Simulation results confirm the absorber’s strong performance and its potential for practical implementation in X-band applications.

Keywords

Frequency Selective Surfaces , X-Band Applications , Absorber Surfaces , Narrowband

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Engineering Electromagnetics

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Sena Esen Bayer Keskin ^*
0000-0001-8309-3393
Türkiye

Cem Güler
0000-0002-6631-7559
Türkiye

Erol Türkeş
0000-0002-9601-7119
Türkiye

Publication Date

April 30, 2026

Submission Date

January 22, 2026

Acceptance Date

April 15, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 12 Number: 1

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA66RT47CF

IEEE

[1]S. E. Bayer Keskin, C. Güler, and E. Türkeş, “Design of a Frequency Selective Surface-Based Electromagnetic Absorber for X-Band Applications”, GJES, vol. 12, no. 1, pp. 97–111, Apr. 2026, [Online]. Available: https://izlik.org/JA66RT47CF

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