Efficient Scattering Synthesis for Beyond-Diagonal Non-Local RISs Coupled with Passive Load Networks
Realizing advanced functionalities with high efficiencies via reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RISs) and reflectarrays requires configurations with strong electromagnetic non-local responses. The traditional approach to achieving strong non-locality has relied on modeling and synthesizing RISs with diagonal load impedance matrices composed of highly dense subwavelength structuring of arrays. In such designs, non-locality is not directly tunable, thereby limiting design flexibility and operational efficiency. This work proposes a rigorous co-simulation-based design and optimization framework for beyond-diagonal RISs with directly controllable non-locality. The co-simulation approach is based on non-local load and coupling networks, integrating electromagnetic antenna characterization with circuit-level modeling of cascaded load networks. The method benefits from additional degrees of freedom by generalizing the conventional diagonal load impedance matrix to a non-diagonal form through a non-local coupling network model. Wide-angle anomalous reflectors based on finite linear and infinite periodic arrays are designed and numerically validated, demonstrating that the proposed non-local loads embedded in realistic cascaded load networks with associated circuitry achieve significantly higher reflection efficiencies than diagonal load matrices at the given element density. Alternatively, for a fixed efficiency target, the required element density can be significantly reduced for efficient synthesis of beyond-diagonal RIS without compromising the performance of wave manipulations.