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Experimental realization of temporal refraction and reflection in elastic beams

Author

Listed:
  • Shaoyun Wang

    (University of Missouri)

  • Nan Shao

    (University of Missouri)

  • Hui Chen

    (Ningbo University)

  • Jiaji Chen

    (University of Missouri)

  • Honghua Qian

    (University of Missouri)

  • Qian Wu

    (University of Missouri)

  • Huiling Duan

    (Peking University)

  • Andrea Alú

    (City University of New York
    City University of New York)

  • Guoliang Huang

    (Peking University)

Abstract

Wave reflection and refraction at a time interface follow different conservation laws compared to conventional scattering at a spatial interface. This study presents the experimental demonstration of refraction and reflection of flexural waves across a temporal boundary in a continuum-based mechanical metabeam, and unveils opportunities that emerge by tailoring temporal scattering phenomena for phononic applications. We observe these phenomena in an elastic beam attached to an array of piezoelectric patches that can vary in time the effective elastic properties of the beam. Frequency conversion and phase conjugation are observed upon a single temporal interface. These results are consistent with the temporal Snell’s law and Fresnel equations for temporal interfaces. Further, we illustrate the manipulation of amplitude and frequency spectra of flexural wave temporal refraction and reflection through multi-stepped temporal interfaces. Finally, by implementing a smooth time variation of wave impedance, we numerically and experimentally demonstrate the capabilities of the temporal metabeam to realize waveform morphing and information coding. Our findings enable precise control over wave amplitude and frequency through temporally modulated mechanical systems, providing a concrete framework for designing time-mechanical metamaterials and time-phononic crystals.

Suggested Citation

  • Shaoyun Wang & Nan Shao & Hui Chen & Jiaji Chen & Honghua Qian & Qian Wu & Huiling Duan & Andrea Alú & Guoliang Huang, 2025. "Experimental realization of temporal refraction and reflection in elastic beams," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-12, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-64530-8
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-64530-8
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Yangyang Chen & Xiaopeng Li & Gengkai Hu & Michael R. Haberman & Guoliang Huang, 2020. "An active mechanical Willis meta-layer with asymmetric polarizabilities," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 11(1), pages 1-8, December.
    2. Yangyang Chen & Xiaopeng Li & Colin Scheibner & Vincenzo Vitelli & Guoliang Huang, 2021. "Realization of active metamaterials with odd micropolar elasticity," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-12, December.
    3. J. Enrique Vázquez-Lozano & Iñigo Liberal, 2023. "Incandescent temporal metamaterials," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-11, December.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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