Acoustic quasi-lossless transmission in arbitrary pathway of network

Abstract

Acoustic metamaterials have exhibited extraordinary possibilities to manipulate the propagation of the sound wave. Up to now, it is still a challenge to control the propagation of the sound wave in an arbitrary pathway of a network. Here, we design a symmetry breaking cross-shape metamaterial comprised of Helmholtz resonant cells and a square column. The square column is eccentrically arranged. The sound wave can quasi-lossless transmit through channels along the eccentric direction with compressed spaces, which breaks through the general transmission phenomenon. This exotic propagation characteristic is verified by the band structure and the mode of the metamaterial. Two acoustic networks, including a 2x2 network and an 8x8 network, show that the sound wave can quasi-lossless propagate along various arbitrary pathways, such as the Great Wall shape, the stair step shape and the serpentine shape, by reconfiguring eccentric directions. This ability opens up a new venue to route the sound wave and exhibits promising applications, from the acoustic communication to the energy transmission.