Kirigami Metasurface for Dynamic RCS Switching: Retroreflective Enhancement to Broadband Stealth

A novel kirigami-inspired mechanically reconfigurable metasurface is proposed to achieve bidirectional radar cross-section (RCS) modulation through bi-state angular tuning, specifically at (0° and 20°). This design enables dynamic switching between retroreflective enhancement and adaptive stealth via subwavelength unit rotation. In the initial state, a 0° rotation triggers retroreflective enhancement, resulting in an 18 dBsm increase in backscattering within the frequency band of 10.3–10.8 GHz. In the second state, a 20° rotation facilitates adaptive stealth, leading to a 20 dB reduction in RCS relative to the initial mode. Full-wave simulations under 45° oblique incidence validate the bi-state operation: Mode 1 achieves phase-matched retroreflection, while Mode 2 redistributes 85% of the specular energy into diffuse scattering lobes. This work overcomes the limitations of static metasurfaces by integrating kirigami mechanics with phase-gradient control, thereby enabling power-free, field-adaptable electromagnetic regulation for dual-mode radar systems.