Researchers from the State Key Laboratory of Acoustics at the Institute of Acoustics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, have made a significant stride in the field of acoustic information processing. Their study, published in the journal Nature Communications, explores the stable transport of topological quasiparticles known as bimerons using spoof surface acoustic waves (SSAWs) on chiral metastructures.
The team, led by Huaijin Ma, successfully realized acoustic meron topological textures using designed Archimedean-like square spiral metastructures. These structures were excited by SSAWs, which are acoustic waves that can be manipulated to behave in specific ways. By applying mirror-symmetric combinatorial operations to the unit structures, the researchers constructed composite chiral metastructures. These advanced structures enabled both one-dimensional and two-dimensional stable transport of acoustic bimerons.
The researchers found that the transport of bimerons is driven by the locked opposite phase differences of SSAWs, which are induced by the handedness of the cavity resonant modes. This means that the direction and stability of the bimeron transport are determined by the specific design of the metastructure. The intrinsic robustness of the meron textures against structural defects was confirmed through the calculation of their topological charge, ensuring that the information carried by these quasiparticles remains intact even in the presence of imperfections.
The practical applications of this research for the energy sector are still in the exploratory stage. However, the robust transport of topological quasiparticles could potentially be harnessed for more efficient and reliable information processing in energy systems. For instance, this technology could be integrated into smart grids to enhance data transmission and management, leading to improved energy distribution and consumption monitoring. Additionally, the stable transport of bimerons could be utilized in energy storage systems to optimize data handling and control, ensuring the longevity and efficiency of storage devices.
In summary, the study establishes stable acoustic bimeron transport as a topologically resilient foundation for future acoustic information processing and storage technologies. While direct applications in the energy sector are not yet fully realized, the underlying principles could pave the way for innovative solutions in energy management and storage. The research was published in the journal Nature Communications, providing a solid foundation for further exploration and development in this promising field.
This article is based on research available at arXiv.