Recent Progress in Reconfigurable and Intelligent Metasurfaces: A Comprehensive Review of Tuning Mechanisms, Hardware Designs, and Applications

Abstract Intelligent metasurfaces have gained significant importance in recent years due to their ability to dynamically manipulate electromagnetic (EM) waves. Their multifunctional characteristics, realized by incorporating active elements into the metasurface designs, have huge potential in numero...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Yasir Saifullah, Yejun He, Amir Boag, Guo‐Min Yang, Feng Xu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2022-11-01
Series:Advanced Science
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202203747
Description
Summary:Abstract Intelligent metasurfaces have gained significant importance in recent years due to their ability to dynamically manipulate electromagnetic (EM) waves. Their multifunctional characteristics, realized by incorporating active elements into the metasurface designs, have huge potential in numerous novel devices and exciting applications. In this article, recent progress in the field of intelligent metasurfaces are reviewed, focusing particularly on tuning mechanisms, hardware designs, and applications. Reconfigurable and programmable metasurfaces, classified as space gradient, time modulated, and space–time modulated metasurfaces, are discussed. Then, reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RISs) that can alter their wireless environments, and are considered as a promising technology for sixth‐generation communication networks, are explored. Next, the recent progress made in simultaneously transmitting and reflecting reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (STAR‐RISs) that can achieve full‐space EM wave control are summarized. Finally, the perspective on the challenges and future directions of intelligent metasurfaces are presented.
ISSN:2198-3844