Broadband impedance modulation via non-local acoustic metamaterials

The nonlocality between subunits was utilized to approach the causality-governed minimal thickness, thereby enabling ultrathin acoustic metamaterials to achieve broadband sound absorption and desired impedance profiles over four octaves. Causality of linear time-invariant systems inherently defines the wave-matter interaction process in wave physics. This principle imposes strict constraints on the interfacial response of materials on various physical platforms. A typical consequence is that a delicate balance has to be struck between the conflicting bandwidth and geometric thickness when constructing a medium with desired impedance, which makes it challenging to realize broadband impedance modulation with compact structures. In pursuit of improvement, the over-damped recipe and the reduced excessive response recipe are creatively presented in this work. As a proof-of-concept demonstration, we construct a metamaterial with intensive mode density that supports strong non-locality over a frequency band from 320 Hz to 6400 Hz. Under the guidelines of the over-damped recipe and the reduced excessive response recipe, the metamaterial realizes impedance matching to air and exhibits broadband near-perfect absorption without evident impedance oscillation and absorption dips in the working frequency band. We further present a dual-functional design capable of frequency-selective absorption and reflection by concentrating the resonance modes in three frequency bands. Our research reveals the significance of over-damped recipe and the strong non-local effect in broadband impedance modulation, which may open up avenues for constructing efficient artificial impedance boundaries for energy absorption and other wave manipulation.

Automated summary

Utilizing nonlocality between subunits, ultrathin acoustic metamaterials achieve broadband sound absorption and desired impedance profiles. The over-damped recipe and the reduced excessive response recipe are employed for impedance matching and broadband near-perfect absorption.