Broadband, slow sound on a glide-symmetric meander-channel surface

Area of Science:

• Acoustics
• Surface physics
• Materials science

Background:

• Acoustic surface waves are crucial for wave propagation along surfaces.
• Patterned surfaces can modify acoustic wave behavior, creating bandgaps.
• Glide symmetry in surface patterns can influence wave propagation characteristics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate acoustic surface waves on hard surfaces with meandering grooves.
• To understand the effect of continuous, glide-symmetric grooves on wave propagation.
• To explore potential applications of the observed wave properties.

Main Methods:

• Theoretical analysis of acoustic surface waves.
• Modeling of wave propagation on surfaces with specific groove geometries.
• Numerical simulations to observe wave velocity and frequency response.

Main Results:

• A single, continuous meandering groove creates a glide-symmetric surface.
• The glide symmetry inhibits the formation of a bandgap at the Brillouin zone boundary.
• Acoustic surface waves exhibit near-constant, sub-speed-of-sound group velocity over a wide frequency range.

Conclusions:

• The studied surface pattern supports slow, broadband acoustic surface waves.
• These slow modes offer potential for advanced noise control strategies.
• The findings open avenues for designing surfaces with tailored acoustic properties.