Absorption of electromagnetic waves by plasma and application to reducing the radar cross section

In this thesis, absorption of electromagnetic waves by plasma has been investigated experimentally. Plasma tubes have been used to form a plasma layer between a transmit and a receive antenna, both connected to a spectrum analyzer. Antennas were designed and fabricated as part of this Thesis work. When the plasma is activated by means of supplying sufficiently high voltage, it was observed that a susbtantial attenuation of electromagnetic waves took place. This concept was applied to radar cross section reduction by covering a metallic surface with plasma layer. Experiments revealed that plasma surface when activated reduces the radar cross section. Tests have been conducted from about 850 MHz to 3.2 GHz due to available measurement equipment and antennas.