Acoustic Metagrating Holograms.

Metasurface holograms represent a common category of metasurface devices that utilize in-plane phase gradients to shape wavefronts, forming holographic images through the application of the generalized Snell's law (GSL). While conventional metasurfaces focus solely on phase gradients, metagratings, which incorporate higher-order wave diffraction, further expand the GSL's generality. Recent advances in certain acoustic metagratings demonstrate an updated GSL extension capable of reversing anomalous transmission and reflection, whose reversal is characterized by the parity of the number of wave propagation trips through the metagrating. However, the current extension of GSL remains limited to 1D metagratings, unable to access 2D holographic images in 3D spaces. Here, the GSL extension to 2D metagratings for manipulating waves within 3D spaces is investigated. Through this analysis, a series of acoustic metagrating holograms is experimentally demonstrated. These holographic images exhibit the unique ability to switch between transmission and reflection types independently. This study introduces an additional dimension to modern holography design and metasurface wavefront manipulation.

Programmable Coding Acoustic Topological Insulator.

Topological acoustics has recently revolutionized fundamental concepts of acoustic propagation, giving rise to strikingly unique acoustic edge modes immune to backscattering. Despite the rapid progress in this field, simultaneous realization of reconfigurability, intelligentization, and automatic control over acoustic propagation paths is posing a great challenge. This challenge is overcome by proposing the concept of a programmable acoustic topological insulator based on two digital elements "0" or "1," which consist of honeycomb-lattice sonic crystals made of cylindrical rods with different diameters. The acoustic propagation paths in the topological insulators can be controlled automatically by programming different coding sequences, which arises from efficient transformation of pseudospin-dependent edge modes on both interfaces of the digital elements. More importantly, a unique unit is experimentally fabricated that has either a "0" or "1" response automatically manipulated by an air cylinder, and design topological insulators with programmable functionality, to realize three digital acoustic devices, such as a single-pole double-throw switch, a single-pole single-throw switch, and a tunable logic gate. The proposed programmable topological insulators may enable future intelligent acoustic devices with exciting reconfigurable and programmable functionalities, which may lead to important advances in various applications, such as integrated acoustics, acoustic security, and information processing.