Active acoustic metamaterials with independently programmable bulk modulus and full mass density tensor

Abstract

Active acoustic metamaterials consist of unit cells with sensor-driver pairs that produce a coherent response to incident waves. The effective acoustic properties of the metamaterials depend on the gains programmed between the sensing and driving components. The strength of the monopole response to the local pressure determines the effective bulk modulus and the dipole response to the local particle velocity determines the effective mass density. The unit cells are controlled individually, so in theory the metamaterials can be scaled to an arbitrary size and geometry, but prior realizations were limited to only a few cells with 1D operation. Here, we present an active acoustic metamaterial of nine cells in 2D with programmable bulk modulus and mass density tensor. We demonstrate the ability to independently program the property components (bulk modulus and four mass density elements) for any desired set within stable limits, including previously unattainable acoustic properties necessary for the fabrication of transformation acoustics devices. We also demonstrate complex effective properties, specifically a lossy layer with impedance matched to the background, such that incident waves are absorbed with no reflection. The effective properties of the active metamaterial are validated by comparing the experimental total and scattered fields to ideal simulation results.