Novel approach for designing a thin and broadband microwave absorber in Ku band based on substituted M-hexaferrites

The design of novel microwave absorbers in the Ku band is still challenging. The aim of this work is to report the design of a new Ku absorber based on the combination of three M-hexaferrites with the formula of BaX0.3Y0.3Cr0.3Fe11.1O19 (XY=Co2+Zr4+, Zn2+Ti4+, Mn2+Ce4+), 15 wt% of each in epoxy matrix. The results indicate the formation of a broadband absorber with a reflection loss (RL) lower than −10 dB over the whole bandwidth 13.75-18 GHz. It has three matching frequencies (14.2, 15.3 and 16.8 GHz) with RL (−29.2, −21.5 and −24.7 dB, respectively) at a matching thickness of only 2.5 mm. This is to be compared with the RL of the absorbers based on 45 wt% of each ferrite alone in epoxy matrix are (−15, −28.8 and −20 dB, respectively) at matching frequency of (14.15, 13.55 and 16.5 GHz) and a matching thickness of 4 mm. This favorable performance resulting from combining the three ferrites within the absorber may be attributed to the enhanced exchange coupling interactions between the three powders of distinct magnetic characteristics.