"The worldwide guru of FSS technology, Ben Munk has written a book that represents the epitome of practical understanding."
–W. Bahret, United States Air Force

Frequency selective surfaces (FSS) have various effects on incident electromagnetic waves, giving them a broad array of applications in such areas as broadband communications, antenna technology, satellite communications, and stealth technology. An instrumental participant in the development of stealth technology for the U.S. Air Force, Ben Munk brings unique authority to the subject. Extending his previous work, Frequency Selective Surfaces: Theory and Design (Wiley), Munk provides a thorough explanation of the technology of finite antenna arrays and techniques for minimizing their radar cross-section and extending their bandwidth.

Rather than merely using the currently popular numerical approach to engineering design, Finite Antenna Arrays and FSS adopts an analytical approach based on physical understanding, and then follows it with mathematical analysis, providing readers with a more concrete foundation for comprehending this complex field.

An important resource for engineers, students, and researchers alike, this text:

• Illuminates a subject which is currently attracting worldwide interest
• Clarifies an important technology for defense as well as for telecommunications, including broadband arrays
• Covers technology that has been largely secret because of its military implications
• Is written by the leading expert in the field

"...Ben has been the world-wide guru of this technology, providing support to applications of all types. His genius lies in handling the extremely complex mathematics, while at the same time seeing the practical matters involved in applying the results. As this book clearly shows, Ben is able to relate to novices interested in using frequency selective surfaces and to explain technical details in an understandable way, liberally spiced with his special brand of humor... Ben Munk has written a book that represents the epitome of practical understanding of Frequency Selective Surfaces. He deserves all honors that might befall him for this achievement." -William F. Bahret.

Mr. W. Bahret was with the United States Air Force but is now retired. From the early 50s he sponsored numerous projects concerning Radar Cross Section of airborne platforms in particular antennas and absorbers. Under his leadership grew many of the concepts used extensively today, as for example the metallic radome. In fact, he is by many considered to be the father of stealth technology.

"This book compiles under one cover most of Munk's research over the past three decades. It is woven with the physical insight that he has gained and further developed as his career has grown. Ben uses mathematics to whatever extent is needed, and only as needed. This material is written so that it should be useful to engineers with a background in electromagnetics. I strongly recommend this book to any engineer with any interest in phased arrays and/or frequency selective surfaces. The physical insight that may be gained from this book will enhance their ability to treat additional array problems of their own." -Leon Peters, Jr.

Professor Leon Peters, Jr., was a professor at the Ohio State University but is now retired. From the early sixties he worked on, among many other things, RCS problems involving antennas and absorbers.

This book presents the complete derivation of the Periodic Method of Moments, which enables the reader to calculate quickly and efficiently the transmission and reflection properties of multi-layered Frequency Selective Surfaces comprised of either wire and/or slot elements of arbitrary shape and located in a stratified medium. However, it also gives the reader the tools to analyze multi-layered FSS's leading to specific designs of the very important Hybrid Radome, which is characterized by constant band width with angle of incidence and polarization. Further, it investigates in great detail bandstop filters with large as well as narrow bandwidth (dichroic surfaces). It also discusses for the first time, lossy elements used in producing Circuit Analog absorbers. Finally, the last chapter deals with power breakdown of FSS's when exposed to pulsed signals with high peak power.

The approach followed by most other presentations simply consists of expanding the fields around the FSS, matching the boundary conditions and writing a computer program. While this enables the user to obtain calculated results, it gives very little physical insight and no help in how to design actual multi-layered FSS's. In contrast, the approach used in this title analyzes all curves of desired shapes. In particular, it discusses in great detail how to produce radomes made of FSS's located in a stratified medium (Hybrid Radomes), with constant band width for all angles of incidence and polarizations. Numerous examples are given of great practical interest. More specifically, Chapter 7 deals with the theory and design of bandpass radomes with constant bandwidth and flat tops. Examples are given for mono-, bi- and tri-planar designs. Chapter 8 deals with bandstop filters with broad as well as narrow bandwidth. Chapter 9 deals with multi-layered FSS of lossy elements, namely the so-called Circuit Analog Absorbers, designed to yield outstanding absorption with more than a decade of bandwidth.

Features material previously labeled as classified by the United States Air Force.

A Convincing and Controversial Alternative Explanation of Metamaterials with a Negative Index of Refraction

In a book that will generate both support and controversy, one of the world's foremost authorities on periodic structures addresses several of the current fashions in antenna design--most specifically, the popular subject of double negative metamaterials. Professor Munk provides a comprehensive theoretical electromagnetic investigation of the issues and concludes that many of the phenomena claimed by researchers may be impossible. While denying the existence of negative refraction, the author provides convincing alternative explanations for some of the experimental examples in the literature.

Although the debate on this subject is just beginning, Professor Munk has received support by various numerical simulations, winning him the encouragement of numerous experts in the field. The issues that are raised here have not been addressed thoroughly by the metamaterials community, and this book will serve as a catalyst for much healthy debate and discussion.

"Metamaterials: Critique and Alternatives" is destined to become a classic resource for graduate students and researchers in electromagnetics, antenna theory, materials research, and chemistry.