Effective medium theory for strongly coupled randomly oriented conducting fibers on a planar surface

A theoretical model has been developed for predicting the reflectivity of thin planar surfaces imbedded with long conductive fibers. Intersecting fibers in the plane form larger conducting clusters. The model includes this effect, which serves to increase the reflectivity. Magnetic coupling between the fibers is also included. This coupling is found to be particularly important at higher frequencies. Test panels were made using a direct write process to imbed the long conducting fiber regions on a thin layer of cellulose. Comparisons of the model with both method of moments calculations and experimental measurements serve to validate its accuracy.