Genetic-algorithm-optimized All-metal Metasurface for Cross-band Stealth via Low-cost Computer Numerical Control Fabrication

ZHANG Ming; ZHANG Najiao; LI Jialei; LI Kang; MELIKYAN MELIKYAN; YANG Lin; HOU Weimin

doi:10.11999/JEIT251080

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ZHANG Ming, ZHANG Najiao, LI Jialei, LI Kang, MELIKYAN MELIKYAN, YANG Lin, HOU Weimin. Genetic-algorithm-optimized All-metal Metasurface for Cross-band Stealth via Low-cost Computer Numerical Control Fabrication[J]. Journal of Electronics & Information Technology. doi: 10.11999/JEIT251080

Citation:

ZHANG Ming, ZHANG Najiao, LI Jialei, LI Kang, MELIKYAN MELIKYAN, YANG Lin, HOU Weimin. Genetic-algorithm-optimized All-metal Metasurface for Cross-band Stealth via Low-cost Computer Numerical Control Fabrication[J]. Journal of Electronics & Information Technology. doi: 10.11999/JEIT251080

Citation:

ZHANG Ming, ZHANG Najiao, LI Jialei, LI Kang, MELIKYAN MELIKYAN, YANG Lin, HOU Weimin. Genetic-algorithm-optimized All-metal Metasurface for Cross-band Stealth via Low-cost Computer Numerical Control Fabrication[J]. Journal of Electronics & Information Technology. doi: 10.11999/JEIT251080

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Genetic-algorithm-optimized All-metal Metasurface for Cross-band Stealth via Low-cost Computer Numerical Control Fabrication

doi: 10.11999/JEIT251080 cstr: 32379.14.JEIT251080

1.
School of Information Science and Engineering, Hebei University of Science and Technology, Shijiazhuang 050018, China
2.
Institute of Intelligent Photonics, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
3.
Faculty of Integrated Circuit, Xidian University, Xi’an 710003, China
4.
Department of Microelectronic Circuits and Systems, National Polytechnic University of Armenian, Yerevan 0009, Armenia

Funds: The National Key Research and Development Program of China (2022YFB4400400), The National Natural Science Foundation of China (62105093 and 62441401), The National Key Laboratory of Basic Scientific Research for Innovation Fund (IFN20230113), The Major Science and Technology Support Project of Hebei Province (24290201Z), Science and Technology Project of Hebei Education Department (BJK2023036)

Received Date: 2025-10-13
Accepted Date: 2026-01-30
Rev Recd Date: 2026-01-28

Available Online: 2026-02-14

Abstract

Abstract

Objective Traditional electromagnetic stealth materials face the practical challenge of achieving both microwave absorption and infrared stealth. Conventional solutions, including geometric optimization and multilayer composite coatings, often suffer from narrow bandwidth, complex fabrication, and limited cross-band compatibility. This study proposes a genetic algorithm–optimized all-metal random coding metasurface that enables concurrent broadband Radar Cross Section (RCS) reduction and low infrared emissivity on a monolithic metallic platform, thereby addressing these practical limitations. Methods Monolithic all-metal C-shaped resonant units are employed. The design is based on the Pancharatnam–Berry geometric phase, in which the reflection phase is regulated by the rotation angle of the unit. Coding schemes of 2-bit, 3-bit, and 4-bit are implemented, corresponding to 4, 8, and 16 discrete phase states. A MATLAB–CST co-simulation framework is established. CST extracts unit responses using the Finite Element Method (FEM), whereas MATLAB applies a genetic algorithm to optimize the phase distribution for scattering energy diffusion. All-metal metasurface prototypes (150 × 150 mm², 10 × 10 array) are fabricated using Computer Numerical Control(CNC) cutting. Results and Discussions Genetic algorithm optimization converges within 6–8 generations. Increasing the number of coding bits enhances phase randomness. The 4-bit metasurface achieves an average 10 dB RCS reduction over 11$ \sim $18.4 GHz. Simulation results agree with anechoic chamber measurements under oblique incidence angles from 0° to 60°. Infrared imaging confirms the low emissivity of the metallic surface. Compared with conventional composite or multilayer structures, the all-metal design simplifies fabrication, prevents interfacial mismatch, and improves structural stability. The metasurface demonstrates broadband, wide-angle, and cross-band stealth performance. Conclusions This study presents a genetic algorithm–optimized all-metal random coding metasurface that achieves cross-band stealth compatibility. The design addresses the persistent challenge of realizing both microwave performance and thermal management in conventional stealth materials. Three main technical contributions are demonstrated. (1)The monolithic copper structure provides greater than 99.9% infrared reflectivity in the 8$ \sim $14 μm band, verified by FLIR imaging, and achieves an average 10 dB RCS reduction over 11$ \sim $18.4 GHz. (2)The single-material configuration removes the risk of delamination. The CNC-fabricated prototype maintains structural integrity under 60° oblique incidence and reduces fabrication cost by approximately 78% compared with lithographic processing. (3)The co-simulation optimization framework converges within eight generations for 4-bit coding, enabling broadband scattering manipulation over 7.4 GHz. The proposed metasurface combines fabrication reliability, cost efficiency, and dual-band stealth capability. These characteristics provide a practical basis for large-scale deployment in military stealth systems and satellite platforms that require multispectral concealment and long-term structural durability.
- Coding metasurface,
- Cross-band stealth,
- Inverse design,
- Low-cost fabrication

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References(41)

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