Localising elastic edge waves via the topological rainbow effect

Abstract: We combine two different fields, topological physics and graded metamaterials to design a topological metasurface to control and redirect elastic waves. We strategically design a two-dimensional crystalline perforated elastic plate, using a square lattice, %consisting of bore holes, that hosts symmetry-induced topological edge states. By concurrently allowing the elastic substrate to spatially vary in depth, we are able to convert the incident slow wave into a series of robust modes, with differing envelope modulations. This adiabatic transition localises the incoming energy into a concentrated region where it can then be damped or extracted. For larger transitions, different behaviour is observed; the incoming energy propagates along the interface before being partitioned into two disparate chiral beams. This "topological rainbow" effect leverages two main concepts, namely the quantum valley-Hall effect and the rainbow effect usually associated with electromagnetic metamaterials. The topological rainbow effect transcends specific physical systems, hence, the phenomena we describe can be transposed to other wave physics. Due to the directional tunability of the elastic energy by geometry our results have far-reaching implications for applications such as switches, filters and energy-harvesters.