PhD Research Project "Reconfigurable Metasurfaces for Radar Cross Section (RCS) Control" Promoter: Prof. dr. G. Gerini (TU/e Electromagnetics Group – TNO Optics Department)

Position: PhD Student

Irène Curie Fellowship: No

Department(s): Electrical Engineering

FTE: 1.0

Date: 15/09/2024

Reference Number: V36.7647

Job Description

Introduction

In the last decade, metamaterials and metasurfaces have garnered significant attention from the scientific community. Concepts have been developed across a wide range of the electromagnetic spectrum, from microwaves to infrared and visible frequencies.

Microwave metasurfaces typically consist of a dielectric substrate (with or without a metallic ground plane, depending on their operation in reflection or transmission) with a lattice of sub-wavelength metallic scatterers on top. These scatterers induce abrupt variations in the electrical parameters of the impinging wave (phase, polarization, amplitude). This property allows metasurfaces to be very thin structures compared to the wavelength of operation, enabling precise manipulation and control of electromagnetic wavefronts. For example, they can control radiation patterns and the polarization of scattered/reflected fields, or convert the impinging wave into a guided wave inside the metasurface itself, thus operating as an antenna.

Objective

The main objective of this PhD research project is to develop reconfigurable metasurfaces for Radar Cross Section (RCS) control. This includes creating an advanced and effective framework for designing such structures and conducting experimental validation of the theoretical design and technology demonstration.

Once integrated into platforms or infrastructures, these surfaces can control the scattering/reflection of impinging electromagnetic waves generated by a radar. Thanks to their reconfigurability, which allows changing the electromagnetic response of the metasurface through chosen mechanisms, it is possible to realize intelligent adaptive systems. These systems, controlled by trained Artificial Intelligence (AI) algorithms, can react and adapt to different operational conditions (e.g., different radar illumination directions, platform movement, frequency hopping of the radar, different backgrounds). This enables the implementation of various operational modes to deceive detection systems in multiple ways, offering higher immunity to countermeasures.

Main Research Questions

• Accurate and Efficient Modelling/Design Frameworks: Developing an accurate and computationally efficient framework for designing metasurfaces is a key activity. This aims to reduce design time from specifications to final layout by avoiding full dependence on commercial electromagnetic modelling software tools and overcoming their typical limitations with large structures containing many sub-wavelength features.
• Reconfigurability Technology: Reconfigurability can be achieved using various technologies, such as lumped electronic components (e.g., diodes), integrated semiconductor switches, micro-electromechanical switches (MEMS), or integrated optical switches. An assessment of these technologies will be conducted during the PhD, leading to a final selection for experimental validation.
• Concept Scalability to Large Surfaces: Important questions include determining the maximum dimension required for the RF metasurface to provide effective RCS reduction and identifying the most effective use of such metasurfaces (e.g., reducing backscattering, jamming, active reflection cancellation). The technology must be scalable to large surfaces with reasonable costs and accurate manufacturing processes compatible with real platform integration requirements.
• Adaptive Control of Reconfigurable Metasurfaces (optional, in cooperation with TNO staff): For full exploitation of reconfigurable metasurfaces, coupling them with a control algorithm is crucial. This allows the structure to react adaptively to different operational conditions and switch between various operational modes.

PhD Execution

The PhD project, associated with the Eindhoven University of Technology and supervised by Prof. Dr. Giampiero Gerini (Electromagnetics Group – Electrical Engineering), will be executed in the Electromagnetic Signatures and Propagation Department, in cooperation with the Optics Department (Delft) of the Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research (TNO). The PhD student will actively collaborate with TNO staff.

Job Requirements

• Solid background in Electromagnetic Fields, Antennas, and Electromagnetic Modelling.
• Programming skills in MATLAB and/or Python.
• Expertise with commercial software packages for electromagnetic modelling like ANSYS HFSS, Lumerical, CST Microwave Studio, and/or COMSOL.
• MSc in Electrical Engineering or Physics.

Conditions of Employment

A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university, in an interdisciplinary setting and within an international network. You will work on a beautiful, green campus within walking distance of the central train station. Additionally, we offer:

• Full-time employment for four years, with an intermediate evaluation (go/no-go) after nine months. You will spend 10% of your employment on teaching tasks.
• Salary and benefits (including a pension scheme, paid pregnancy and maternity leave, partially paid parental leave) in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, scale P (min. €2,770 max. €3,539).
• A year-end bonus of 8.3% and annual vacation pay of 8%.
• High-quality training programs and support to grow into a self-aware, autonomous scientific researcher. At TU/e, we challenge you to take charge of your own learning process.
• An excellent technical infrastructure, on-campus children's day care, and sports facilities.
• An allowance for commuting, working from home, and internet costs.
• A Staff Immigration Team and a tax compensation scheme (the 30% facility) for international candidates.

Information and Application

About Us

Eindhoven University of Technology is an internationally top-ranking university in the Netherlands that combines scientific curiosity with a hands-on attitude. Our spirit of collaboration translates into an open culture and a top-five position in collaborating with advanced industries. Fundamental knowledge enables us to design solutions for the highly complex problems of today and tomorrow. Curious to hear more about what it’s like as a PhD candidate at TU/e? Please view the video.

Information

Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more? Please contact the hiring manager Prof. dr. ir. Giampiero Gerini, email g.gerini@tue.nl.

Visit our website for more information about the application process or the conditions of employment. You can also contact HR Services, email HRServices.Flux@tue.nl. For more about working at TU/e, please visit our career page.

Application

We invite you to submit a complete application by using the apply button. The application should include:

• A cover letter describing your motivation and qualifications for the position.
• A curriculum vitae, including a list of your publications and the contact information of three references.

If you join us, we will also ask you to provide a Certificate of Conduct (Verklaring omtrend gedrag, VOG). For clients in the defense and security domain, a Certificate of No Objection (Verklaring van geen bezwaar, VGB) from the AIVD is required, necessitating a security screening. More information can be found here.

We look forward to receiving your application and will screen it as soon as possible. The vacancy will remain open until the position is filled.