A robust actively-tunable perfect sound absorber

Abstract

Perfect sound absorption (PSA), producing an absorption coefficient of 1, can be achieved based upon the coherent interaction of acoustic waves, while it can merely be achieved within a narrow frequency-band due to critical impedance matching conditions. Here, we theoretically and experimentally study self-modulation and active-tunability in PSA created on account of a membrane-covered cavity. It is observed that due to the nonlinearity of the membrane, the frequency of PSA increases with the intensities of input acoustic waves, exhibiting a self-modulation property. Furthermore, we design an apparatus to control the elasticity of the membrane via four electromagnets, and thus, the PSA frequency can be freely and effectively adjusted by changing the direct-current driving voltage of the electromagnets. Despite the critical impedance matching conditions, the absorption coefficient achieved in our system holds at 1 when the PSA frequency is freely changed, which exhibits strong robustness in active-tunability.