Manipulating Water Wave Propagation via Gradient Index Media
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Updated: Mar 29, 2026

Analyzing Mixing Inhomogeneity in a Microfluidic Device by Microscale Schlieren Technique
Published on: June 12, 2015
Zhenyu Wang1, Pei Zhang1, Xiaofei Nie1
1College of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, People's Republic of China.
Abstract:
It is challenging to realise the perfect manipulation of water waves within a broad range of frequencies. By extending conformal transformation principles to water waves, their propagation can be controlled via gradually varying water depths, permitting the realisation of a desired refractive index profile for linear water surface waves. Wave bending, directional wave emission and wave focusing are analysed experimentally with accompanying simulations. The results demonstrate desired wave manipulations within a broad range of frequencies, confirming the accuracy and effectiveness of conformal transformation for water waves.
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