June 10, 1952 w. w.

sALTsBURY 2,599,944
ABSORBENT BODY FOR ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES
Filed May l1, 1943

FIG.3
INVENToR
wlNFlE'LD w. sALlsBuRY

ATTORN EY
Patented June l0, 1952 2,599,944

2.599,94);V _ w’

Aßsoßßmrßovr Featurette: `

America esirepresented by. the S8093?

elërlieeiiee Mer, 121.» 19.4%, Serial

2s, clams; ¿et asc-1.6.x
, “ 2.

This invention relates to an absorbent body for
highïfí'eqüency electromagnetic" -`radiatíc’ìn'f 'a'n‘d
has 'f_oi’i’ts’y principal"’ob'je`ct"tciprovide a íñe‘a‘r‘i’s
~prevent` or -reduce reflection of electromagn c
radiation
' ` Anotherfroni`sürfaces§"""‘
'object'òf' the _invention is""to" provide
a lcoinpölsite`"fsìiirfaee tvhi‘c'liV may'bje’ applie‘d‘to
annöstî'any object' to render it'non-ren'ectïve‘~fo‘r
electromagnetic radiation" of " a""predëtërxriined
high frequency. ' ‘
Another object of the invention is to provide
a simple and easily constructed absorbent cham
ber which has inner Walls substantially non-re
iiectiveto electromagnetic radiation of- a' prede'
tîe'r?ú'ned Wave Iéñgth " so I 'that ‘the chair'ib‘e'f "may
be used to test various devices for producing elëc'l
troinagnètic" radiation, "or as" a`ter?1irïätion'ffor
coñcl'e?tric‘lines ‘of'w'fo "g "_des ca „_"n'g electric
enérgyalt high frequencies. 'l
`Stil1 lanotl‘ler object: of ’the invention is to p_ro
vide in frónt'of a'given‘fsui‘face a inèans'tò inter'
oept‘ and ' renect ‘that‘~portioif ‘of the' electromec
netic radiation 'of‘ ai "given frè'ìiìierícy directe to
wards" said' "surjfao’ei ‘whìonmwin' approximately
equal' the'portionîof thei‘einaìn'ing' radiatio'ri`re'
of electromagnetic radiation from surfacesorwoby
jects." Fo?dns'tan'ce, >Wll‘ere the fieldy Character
istics' of' "an "electromagnetic Wave _ radiator, such
as a dipole‘a'ntenna 'or a 'Wave guide‘are-tobe
tested; it is r‘rroi'e‘convenientjto‘ make suchjtests
in’the laboratory'than in “the open` airV where
they"`are‘ùsùally made, because ofthe ne ity
of eliminating reflections'.` 1t ls alsooftendesir
able to provide a dumlny antenna, whereby a
"
10 transmitter may be operated for test purposes
and the radiation entirely absorbed. It may also
’ e
a very simple and easily constructed composite
` surface for absorbingf'elëctromagnetic radiation,
20 `thus aççgmplish‘ng t e and ot er desirable re
«`-V~'r (y ,_ìufw' n ¿l »l 7», s 1 51,3' [7;_5 .:"~"r_€. „"2 .SL72 f'l‘f
1n its broadest aspect thecomposite surface of
the inventi'òn`is illlîstrated"`irî"Figï "1"’,'"and“cöm-
prises a surface l0 which is a good reñect'or‘î'ö'r
25 any of the electromagnetic radiation, indicated
at E. which reaches'it.' vscreen Il which has

means a`t` a point in _space inifi‘o‘nt of "sai‘d' ?nean's. :ñecting fsurf

radiation.
'Other objects' an'çliöbjects _relating‘tó 'various î'fiuari WV@ ,. . .. , .u ,.
uses'of theinvention'and 'thea'i'rangeînerit and rnagn'étié radiation'which'tl'ie surface is de
assembly~ ‘óf ' the 'varióusfparts‘willî be' 'apparent as 35 to abserb- E01,” .Practicalpurposesitmayïe.
é?fablíèftö~spàöe`thë^$ _.
-the_Several‘eñibodinient
description ofthe' invention
" òf the’inverïtion
proceeds.are illus surface" |0`a`dis‘tanöe"'í1iial to'on'e-q arter‘vvav‘e
trated inthëaceöinpa ‘ing'drawings i'riïiìlri‘ch': length, since this brings the screen Il as close as
' ' ïFig; 1" asec'tióiial’ vi'ew'tlïr'òüglï a ’cornposite possible to the reñecting surface I0. The screen
surface constrùcted" in’ accordance" with ‘the’ in' 40 I] is designed so that-the radiation reflected from
it `Wil1“e¿1iial-,' ‘or `‘appro'acli ` asine'a'rly v"as l'possible'.
,.»», .. .. Y.. l, .,..„„...,...-.- c Y .,_M „JJ . ..._

Fig.v 2 is a perspective View of a fragmentary _the 'radiation >vi/'hiclî has' ‘passed’ tl'i'r'óugl‘iv4 "it‘arïd‘is
portion of a‘mòdiñ'ed forni ‘of thecornposite's'ürè
`fao‘e'o’f theinvention; " " "
?eïiectëd'
such 'the ‘from
oaseandthe‘prooer
"thefrefièeting' "surfaced
späaoin'g‘fis
u used,
»3' is a"perspective View' of an absorbent 45 at' ai point in -fr‘orit’or or exteraaifto‘ said‘surfaoe
chamber utilizing tliëcónstruçtiofn öf'Figï' 1` and and' screen; ‘the electric ‘and miagne'ticrneid‘rrom
indicated as a>¢ termination "for a" coaxialilinë; " " the "screen" H "will be‘ '180° out‘ô‘f phase'vïrtn‘tlie
electric"'and" magnetic "field"'ofïthe’radiation reï
ñected'ifrom' the ‘surface `il‘l) and'will cancer it' en
tirely or ’greatly reduce it; A’ ^ ‘ -
60
Such'a'oomposîte‘surface acts as if it had a AQ
Fig. 5 is a diagram’illustrating another use of (ratio‘ of stored~ energy Eto" 'dissipated energy)~` of
the invention employing a' plùra1it$f'of`t1ïe"'ao- one and will absorb a ‘broadbandróf frequencies.
.sorbent surfaces ‘rnoiinted Äin s'paëed'relation'rupon Also'it’vvillabs'orby radiation directed at itthro'ugh
agigíyen surface to 'prevent undesirable reflection
of electromagnetic 'watjes fronïthat'fsurface. "' The reñecting surface 1.0 is preferably made a
It is vree'seraleie“meetwaarden nearly a" perfect ' reiiectonaspossìble; "and since
 3 4 .
metal is substantially a perfect reflector, any kind tor I0 may vary somewhat from the exact quar
of a metal surface may be used for this purpose. ter wave length measurement without substan
The screenI I I, however, must be carefully chosen. tially altering the results obtained.` Cloths coat
It should be thin as compared to the skin depth edwith graphite with a resistance from 350 to 400
of currents in the material of the screen and ohms across the square have been found satisfac
hence needs additional support which may be tory in substantially empty space.
supplied by some dielectric material. A thin . In Fig. 1 the screen I I is shown made of a sheet
metal coat sputtered on to a dielectric sheet may of canvas I2 provided with a graphite coating I3.
provide a suitable screen, or a fabric coated with The canvas sheet I2 is shown separated from the
some conducting material, as, for instance, the 10 reflector IIJ by a plurality of wooden spacers It,
rubberized conducting fabric manufactured by the remainder of the space I5 being air.
the United States Rubber Company. I have In-Fig. 2 the composite surface is shown with
found that canvas coated with colloidal solution a solid dielectric separating the reflector and the
of graphite to a certain predetermined thickness screen. In this construction a metal plate I6 is
makes a desirable screen to use for the purpose 15 secured in' any desirable manner to a wooden
of the invention. The solution of graphite could board I'l which may conveniently be plywood of
also be applied to other dielectric materials, such the proper thickness. On the surface of the ply
aswood. .. , wood isattached the canvas _I3 treated ywith the
It can be shownv mathematically that, if .the graphite as abovedescribed. This construction
surface Il) is substantially a perfect reflector, the 20 makes a very compact composite surface, _since
conductivity and thickness of . the Vscreen ll the metal plate I6 may be rigidly secured to the
should bear a certain relation to the impedance of wood and the canvas coated with graphite may be
the medium in which the invention is to be used stretched tightly over the opposite face of the
to-plane electromagnetic waves. This .impedance wood so as to give a uniform spacing. Other ma
can be represented by the ratio, 25 terials might be used as a dielectric between the
metal plate and the screen, as long as the dis
tance is kept equal to l V_ y

where ER equals the relative dielectric constant of

the medium. The relation then between the 30
thickness-and conductivity of the screen II may Where A represents the wave length and eD rep
be shown mathematically t0 be represented by resents the relative dielectric constant of the di
electric spacer. „ l
the following equation: H ' f -
In Figs. 3 and 4 I have shownan absorbent
35 chamber using for interior walls the composite
structure illustrated in Fig. 2*. The box 20 of
these figures may be of any size desired. Y»All six
where c equals the conductivity and ä equals the sides are shown constructed similarly, the con
thickness of the conducting material. struction being illustrated in Fig. 4. The sides 2I
Forv empty space the valueV of \/eR equals l and 40 of the box are made of Wood and each side is
this gives: provided with a lining formed of another piece of
wood 22 c_ut to iit the inside of the box and pro
l=377 ohmsv '
v5 . . . vided on its outer surface with a sheet of metal
23 and on its inner surface with a sheet of cloth
The -invention may be found most useful in ab 24 suitably treated with graphite 215. ._,As'ï'indi
sorbing or preventing the reflection of electro 45
magnetic waves in empty space. However, it will cated, the cloth may pass around the yendsZIì Yo_f
the wooden pieces 22 so as to'secure _it _tightly
:be understood that if the vinvention is to be used against the wood, as by tacking. The metal
in some other medium, the value of 377 ohms sheets 23 may be screwed or otherwise secured to
will be replaced by another value determined by the wood members 22. The box is puttogether at
the relative dielectric constant of that particular 50
the corners in such a way that the interior sur
medium. '
face consists solely of the graphite-coated cloth.
‘ '

It is diiiicult to measure the conductivity and

For this purpose, adjoining wooden members 22
the thickness of the screen I I, but the expression are caused to overlap, as indicated in Fig. 4.
l 55 The >box 20 is shown with wooden outer'sidcs
va 2 I. Thus constructed, thin metal 4sheets 23 may
be used, the outer woodensides 2l serving to pro
for a conducting screen may be very easilyob tect the metal against physical damage.v If de
tained by connecting in a circuit two Opposite sired, however, the wooden sides 2| may be dis
sides ofasquare of the screen, which maybe any 00 pensed with, and the metal .sheets 23 may be
size, and measuring the resistance across these heavier and may form the structure of the box.
two sides. This resistance will be the same for In Fig. 3 the use of the box 2U as a termination
any size square of the samecharacter and thick for a coaxial line is indicated. A hole is provided
ness of conducting material, and such screen will in one side of the box and a coaxial line 28 passes
be suitable to use with a perfect reflector if its 65 through the hole, a suitable iiange 29 being pro
resistance equals the right-hand side of theñrst vided which screws on to the wooden side 2| to
equation given above, which, in thecase of empty secure the coaxial line rigidly in position extend
space is 377 ohms. However, it is not necessary ing through the center of the hole. The coaxial
that these exact figures be obtained in order to line is indicated as provided with a dipole an
operate the invention. Greater or less conduc 70 tenna Sil by means of which the energy carried
tivity of the screen I I may still produce satisfac by the line is radiated as electromagnetic waves
tory results, depending upon the desired accuracy inside of the box. Since the inner walls ofthe
of the measurements to be made 0r the vpropor box have the non-reñecting characteristic'l al
vtion of vradiation required to Vbe absorbed.'_ Simi _ready described, all of the energy- will thus be
larly, the spacing of the screen I I from the reflec 75 absorbed, and will be dissipated as heat, the large
 2,599,944.
surfaces of the metal sheets 23 being sufficient one ata distancesubstantially equal to, an „odd
to radiate the heat thusY formed. quarter> Wave lengthA of saidA electromagnetic
The box may be used equally Well as a termina wavesy measured through said dielectric, the
tion for a wave guide, and, in either case, Where character of said screen-being such that it sub
suiìcient energy is to be absorbed, water may be 5 stantially satisfies the equation
used behind the metal sheets to carry away the
heat. nm.
The box 20 of Fig. 3 may also be used for test e «a
purposes to determine standing waves, ñeld where v'equals the conductivity of said screen, ö
strength, and the like. For this purpose another equals the thickness thereof, and en equals the
hole may be provided in the opposite Wall or in relative dielectric constant of the medium in
one ofthe other sides of the box through which Which said surface is to -be used.
anrenergy pick-up device may be inserted to in 2. A composite surface substantially non-re
tercept radiation from the particular radiator in iiective to short electromagnetic Waves of a par
serted through the front. In this manner accu ticular frequency, which comprises, in combina
rate measurements may be made without sub tion, a substantially perfect- reflecting surface
stantial interference fromrefiection from the in for said electromagnetic waves, and a conducting
ner walls of the box. screen spaced from said reflecting surface by a
In Fig. 5 another use of the composite absorb medium Whose relative dielectric constant equals
ing surface of the invention is illustrated. Here 20 one at a distance substantially equal to an odd
it is desired to direct a beam of electromagnetic quarter wave length of said electromagnetic
radiation Whose axis has been indicated at 3| waves measured through said dielectric, the char
from a directive antenna system 32 substantially acter of said screen being such that kit substan
parallel or at a slight inclination to a surface 33 tiallysatisi'les the equation
which represents the earth or other surface above 25
which the antenna system is positioned . When l.=377 ohms
this is attempted normally, reflection from fthe v6
surface 33 will cause the beam to be deflected up Where u equals the conductivity of said screen
wardly as indicated by the dot-and-dash line 34, and ö equals the .thickness thereof.
as though radiation were coming from an image 30 3. An absorbingchamber for electromagnetic
35 of the antenna system situated below the sur radiation of a particular frequency which com
face 33 a distance equal to the distance of the prises, in combination, a container having sub
antenna system 32 above the surface. By placing stantially all of the interior Walls thereof formed
a plurality of the composite absorbing surfaces of a composite surface comprising an outer sur
of the invention, indicated at 33, at spaced inter 35 face which is substantially a perfect reflector
vals below the beam and in front of the antenna for the particular electromagnetic Waves to be
system 32, no radiation from the antenna system used with the chamber, and an inner conducting
can strike the surface 33, and all radiation di screen separated from said reflecting surface by
rected towards the surface 33 Will be absorbed in a medium Whose relative dielectric constant
Ithe composite absorbing surfaces 36. The spac 40 equals one at a distance substantially equal to an
ing of these surfaces will depend, of course, on odd quarter Wave length of said radiation, the
their size, as will be apparent from an inspection conductivity of said screen being such as sub
of Fig. 5, and While they have been shown normal stantially to satisfy the equation
to the surface 33, they may be supported at any
angle, as, for instance, normal to the electromag 45 l=37 7 ohms
netic radiation. Any surface may be treated in 06
this manner to prevent reflection of radiation. where c equals the` conductivity of said screen
It will thus be seen that I have provided a com and ö equals thev thickness thereof.
posite surface which is substantially non-reflect 4. A composite surface which is substantially
ing to electromagnetic waves of a particular Wave 50 non-reflecting for electromagnetic radiation of a
length, and that substantially any surface may predetermined short Wave length, which com
be made non-reflecting to particular Waves by prises, in combination, a surface Whichris sub
providing it with a spaced screen which will re stantially a perfect reflector for said raditaion, a
ñect Waves in such a manner as to cancel the conductive screen spaced from said surface, and
Waves reflected from the surface proper. It will 55 having such conductivity and thickness that it
also be seen that an absorbent chamber using the will substantially satisfy the equation
particular composite surface may be easily and
inexpensively constructed'for providing a termi l=377
U5
ohms
nation for transmission lines or for making
measurements of radiation. 60 Where v equals the conductivity of said screen
Many diñ‘erent modifications of the invention and ö equals the thickness thereof, and a solid
may be made without departing from the spirit dielectric between said screen and said surface,
of the invention, and I do not therefore desire the spacing between said surface and said screen
to limit myself to what has been shown and de beingsubstantially equal to an odd quarter Wave
scribed except as such limitations occur in the 65 length of said radiation measured through said
appended claims. dielectric. '
What I desire to claim and secure by Letters 5. An absorbing chamber for electromagnetic
Patent is: radiation of a predetermined short Wave length,
1. A composite surface substantially non-re which comprises, in combination, . a container
ñective to short electromagnetic waves of a par 70 having interior composite walls each of which
ticular frequency, which comprises, in combina comprises a surface which is substantially a per
tion, a substantially perfect reflecting surface fect reflector, for said radiation, a conductive
for said electromagnetic waves, and a conducting screen spaced a predetermined distance from said
screen spaced from said reflecting surface by a surface,v and al solid dielectric Ibetween said sur
medium Whose relative dielectric constant equals 75 faceand screen, the. distance between said sur
 2,599,944
7 8 v
face and the screen being substantially an odd medium, the character of said screen being such
quarter wave length of said radiation, as meas that it substantially satisfies the equation
ured through said dielectric, said vconducting sur
face being such that it substantially satisñes the
equation
where V equals the conductivity of said screen;
l=377
vö
ohms ö equals the thickness thereof, and 6R equals the
relative dielectric constant of the medium in
Where o equals the conductivity of said conduct Which said surface is to be used. ’
ing screen and ö equals the thickness thereof. 11. A composite surface which is substantially
6. An absorbing chamber >for electromagnetic 10 non-reflecting for electromagnetic Waves of a
radiation of a predetermined short Wave length, particular short Wave length which comprise, in
which comprises, in combination, a metal box, combination, a substantially perfect reflecting
conductive screens spaced from the interior Walls surface for said electromagnetic Waves, and a
of said box a distance substantially equal to an
cloth screen coated with a colloidal solution of
odd quarter Wave length of said radiation, each graphite spaced from said reflecting surface by a
of said conducting screens having such charac
teristics that it Will substantially satisfy the medium Whose relative dielectricY constant equals
one at a, distance substantially equal to an odd
equation '
quarter Wave length of said electromagnetic Waves
l:377
vö
ohms 20 as measured through said medium, the character
of said screen being such that it substantially
Where v equals the conductivity of said screen and satisñes the equation
ö equals the thickness thereof, and means to sup l
port each of said screens from its associated Wall. :377 ohms
V5
7. An absorbing chamber for electromagnetic 25
radiation of a predetermined short Wave length Where V equals the conductivity of said screen
which comprises, in combination, a metal con and ö equals the thickness thereof.
tainer, an inner lining of Wood in said container, 12. A composite surface which is substantially
a covering of cloth on each inner Wooden sur non-reflecting for electromagnetic waves of a
face, a coating of colloidal graphite solution on 30 particular short wave length which comprises, in
each of said cloth coverings, the distance of said combination, a substantially perfect reflecting
graphite coating from said metal container sur surface for said electromagnetic waves, a conduct
face being substantially equal to an odd quarter ing screen of graphite, the character of said
Wave length of said radiation as measured screen being such that it substantially satisfies
through said wooden lining, the amount of col 35 the equation
loidal graphite solution on said cloth covering be
ing sufficient substantially to satisfy the equation
Where V equals 'the conductivity of said screen,
40 ö equals the thickness thereof, and ER equals the
where o equals the conductivity of said graphite relative dielectric constant of the medium in
surface and ö equals the thickness thereof. which the surface is to be used, and a dielectric
8. An absorbing chamber for short wave length between said reflecting surface and said conduct
electromagnetic Waves of a particular frequency ing screen of such a' thickness that the spacing
comprising, in combination, a container having 45 between said surface and said screen is equal to
substantially all of the walls thereof formed of a
means for reflecting said electromagnetic waves, Ä
and means spaced from said reflecting means a NES
distance substantially equal to an odd quarter where A equals the Wave length of said electro
Wave length of said electromagnetic waves, the 50 magnetic Waves and 6D equals the relative di
composition of said spaced means being such that electric constant of said dielectric.
the radiation reflected from it will be substan i3. An absorbing chamber for electromagnetic
tially equal to the radiation passing through it. radiation of a predetermined short Wave length,
9. An absorbing chamber for short wave length which comprises, in combination, a container
electromagnetic radiation of a particular fre 55 having interior composite walls each of which
quency, comprising, in combination, a container comprises a surface which is substantially a per
‘ having all of the walls thereof formed of a sub fect reflector for said radiation, a conducting
stantially perfect reflecting surface for said elec screen spaced a predetermined distance from said
tromagnetic Waves, and a conducting screen surface, the character of said screen being such
spaced from said reflecting surface a distance 60 that it substantially satisfies the equation
substantially equal to an odd quarter wave length
of said electromagnetic Waves, the composition
of- said screen being such that the radiation re Vö 1(6R
flected from it will substantially equal the radia
tion passing through it. 65 where V equals the conductivity of said screen,
10. A composite surface which is substantially ö equals the thickness thereof, and eR equals the
non-reflecting for electromagnetic Waves of a par relative dielectric constant of the medium in
ticular short Wave length which comprises, in which the surface is to be used, and a dielectric
combination, a substantially perfect reflecting between said reflecting surface and said conduct
surface for said electromagnetic Waves, and a 70 ing screen of such a thickness that the spacing
conducting screen of graphite spaced from said between said surface and said screen is equal to
reflecting surface by a medium whose relative di Ä
electric constant equals one at a distance substan
tially equal to an odd quarter Wave length of said 445
electromagnetic Waves as measured through said Where A equals the Wave length of said electro
 2,599,944.
magnetic AWaves and eD equals the relative dielec ‘Where U equals the Aconductivity of said screen,
tric constant of said dielectric. ö> equals the thickness thereof, Vand ¿R equals fthe
`14..'A composite surface substantially non-re ~relative ‘dielectric constant of the medium in
'ilective to electromagnetic Waves of a particular which-said surface 'is to be used. Y
frequency, which comprises, in combination, 19. A' composite surface substantially non-'re
lmeans for reflecting said electromagnetic waves, ilective to short electromagnetic waves of a par
and a conducting screen spaced'from said re ticular frequency, which comprises, in combina
ilecting means a distance substantially equal to tion, a substantially perfect reflecting surface
an odd quarter Wave length of said electromag for said electromagnetic waves, and a conduct
netic Waves as measured inthe medium separat ing screen spaced from said reflecting surface by
‘ing said reflecting means and said screen, the a dielectric a distance substantially equal to an
composition of said screen being'such that the odd quarter `wave length of said electromagnetic
resistance per square of said screen is substan Waves measured through said dielectric, the
tially equal to the characteristic impedance to charactel` of said screen being such that it sub
electromagnetic Waves of the medium through stantially satisfies the equation
which said electromagnetic Waves are trans
mitted.
15. A composite surface substantially nonre
flective to electromagnetic waves of a particular
frequency, Which comprises, in combination, 20 where n equals the conductivity of said screen
means for reflecting said electromagnetic waves, and ö equals the thickness thereof.
and a screen separated from said reflecting 20. An absorbing chamber for electromagnetic
means by a dielectric medium a distance equal radiation of a particular frequency which com
to substantially a quarter wave length as meas prises, in combination, a container having sub
ured in said dielectric medium, the composition 25 stantially all of the interior Walls thereof formed
of said screen being such that the resistance per of a composite surface comprising an outer sur
square of said screen is substantially equal to face which is substantially a perfect reflector for
the characteristic impedance to electromagnetic the particular electromagnetic Waves to be used
Waves of the medium through which said elec with the chamber, and an inner conducting
tromagnetic Waves are transmitted. - 30 screen separated from said reflecting surface by
16. An absorbing chamber for short Wave a dielectric a distance substantially equal to an
length electromagnetic Waves of a particular odd quarter Wave length of said radiation, the
frequency' comprising, in combination, a cham conductivity of said screen being such ras sub
ber having substantially all of the Walls thereof stantially to satisfy the equation
formed of a means for reflecting said electro 35
magnetic waves, and a screen spaced from said
reflecting surface a distance substantially equal
to an odd quarter Wave length of said electro
magnetic `Waves as measured within the medium where v equals the conductivity of said screen
separating said reflecting means and said screen, 40 and ö equals the thickness thereof.
the composition of said screen being such that 21. A structure substantially non-reflecting to
the resistance per square of said screen is sub electromagnetic Waves of predetermined fre
stantially equal to the characteristic impedance quency propagated in free space to which the
to electromagnetic Waves of the medium through structure is exposed, comprising a facing mem
Which said electromagnetic Waves are trans 45 ber »which is thin relative to the wavelength in
mitted. space of said electromagnetic Waves and is con
17. An absorbing chamber for short wave structed of electrically-resistive material having
length electromagnetic Waves of a particular electric resistance of the order of 1201r ohms per
frequency comprising in combination, a cham unit length of unit Width of said material, and
ber having substantially al1 of the walls thereof 50 a backing memberI having a metal surface dis
formed of a means for reflecting said electro posed behind and physically separated from said
magnetic Waves, and a screen spaced from said facing member by an insulating medium having
reflecting surface by`a dielectric medium a dis a thickness corresponding substantially to one
tance equal to an odd quarterl wave length of quarter of the Wavelength of the said electro
said electromagnetic Waves as measured within 55 magnetic Waves in said medium.
the dielectric medium, the composition of said 22. A structure substantially non-reflecting to
screen being such that the resistance per square electromagnetic Waves of predetermined fre
of said screen 'is substantially equal to the char quency as claimed in claim 21, wherein the facing
acteristic impedance to electromagnetic waves of member is separated from the metal surface by
the medium through Iwhich said electromagnetic 60 insulation medium the dielectric constant of
Waves are transmitted. which is greater than unity and the thickness
18.A composite surface substantially non-re of which is substantially equal to the quotient of
ilective to short electromagnetic Waves of a par one-quarter of a wavelength of the electromag
ticular frequency, which comprises, in combina netic Waves in space and the square root of the
tion, a substantially perfect reflecting surface for 65 dielectric constant of said insulation medium.
said electromagnetic Waves, and a conducting 23. A spacious chamber the enclosure for
screen spaced from said reflecting surface by a which is substantially non-reflecting to electro
dielectric a distance substantially equal to an magnetic vvaves substantially of a predetermined
odd quarter wave length of said electromagnetic frequency propagated in the free space of the
Waves measured through said dielectric, the 70 chamber and which enclosure comprises a back
character of said screen being such that it sub ling structure, a metal inner lining for the back
stantially satisfies the equation ing structure, and a facing sheet which is thin
relative to the wavelength in space of said elec
tromagnetic waves and is formed of material
75 having electric resistance of the order of 1201in
 ¿2,599,944
11 ., 12
ohms per unit length of unit Width of the ma UNITED STATES _PATENTS
terial, which facing sheet is maintained in Number Name Date
spaced relationship to the lining by an insulat 1,928,408 Clavier _________ __ Sept. 26, 1933
ing medium having a thickness corresponding 2,000,806 White ____________ __ May 7, 1935
substantially to one-quarter of - the Wavelength 5 2,293,839 Linder __________ __ Aug. 25, 1942
of the Waves in said medium. » 2,337,612I Linder __________ __ Dec. 28, 1943
WINFIELD W. SALISBURY. 2,489,288 Hansen _________ _.. Nov. 29, 1949
FOREIGN PATENTS
REFERENCES CITED
l0 Number Country Date
The following references are of record in the 802,728 France __________ __ June 13, 1936
file of this patent: 668,231 Germany ________ __ Nov. 28, 1938