Acoustic imaging with a metamaterial Luneburg lens

Abstract

The Luneburg lens is a spherically symmetrical gradient refractive index device with unique imaging properties. Its wide field-of-view and minimal aberration have led it to be successfully applied in microwave antennas. However, only limited realizations of this type of image formation have been demonstrated in acoustics. Here, we apply a new design method for scalable and self-supporting metamaterials to experimentally demonstrate Luneburg lenses for airborne ultrasound. Experimental imaging results are demonstrated.