Scattering from wedge-tapered absorbers

The scattering of a plane electromagnetic wave, arbitrarily polarized and normally impinging on a wedge-tapered absorbing structure, is theoretically and experimentally studied. The theoretical solution is found in two asymptotic cases: spacing between consecutive edges, small and large with respect to the incident wavelength. In the former case, a transmission line analogy is set up; in the latter, quasi-optical techniques are applied. Numerical and experimental results are presented; the latter are in good agreement with the theory. The possibility of using the studied structure as an absorbing termination is discussed in some detail, and optimizing criteria, as well as the possibility of obtaining polarization-independent performance, are indicated.