arXiv subjects

Olivier Richoux

Publications and source records attributed to Olivier Richoux.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Anisotropic Cylindrical Waves in a Square Lattice of Acoustic Waveguides

We investigate the propagation of cylindrical waves in a square network of acoustic waveguides. We establish, both theoretically and experimentally, the anisotropic dispersion relation governing wave propagation in the network, and demonstrate excellent agreement between experimental measurements and theoretical predictions. Owing to this anisotropic band structure, each propagation direction exhibits distinct dispersive properties. Consequently, the network supports anisotropic cylindrical waves at both low- and high-amplitudes, with waveforms that vary markedly with direction: from nearly dispersionless pulses to Airy-like wave packets in the linear regime, and from sharp shock-like fronts to smooth solitary-like profiles in the nonlinear regime. The theoretical results are further corroborated by numerical simulations based on the two-dimensional Westervelt equation.

nlin.PS↗

arXiv2025

Energy transport and chaos in a one-dimensional disordered nonlinear stub lattice

We investigate energy propagation in a one-dimensional stub lattice in the presence of both disorder and nonlinearity. In the periodic case, the stub lattice hosts two dispersive bands separated by a flat band; however, we show that sufficiently strong disorder fills all intermediate band gaps. By mapping the two-dimensional parameter space of disorder and nonlinearity, we identify three distinct dynamical regimes (weak chaos, strong chaos, and self-trapping) through numerical simulations of initially localized wave packets. When disorder is strong enough to close the frequency gaps, the results closely resemble those obtained in the one-dimensional disordered discrete nonlinear Schrödinger equation and Klein-Gordon lattice model. In particular, subdiffusive spreading is observed in both the weak and strong chaos regimes, with the second moment $m_2$ of the norm distribution scaling as $m_2 \propto t^{0.33}$ and $m_2 \propto t^{0.5}$, respectively. The system's chaotic behavior follows a similar trend, with the finite-time maximum Lyapunov exponent $Λ$ decaying as $Λ\propto t^{-0.25}$ and $Λ\propto t^{-0.3}$. For moderate disorder strengths, i.e., near the point of gap closing, we find that the presence of small frequency gaps does not exert any noticeable influence on the spreading behavior. Our findings extend the characterization of nonlinear disordered lattices in both weak and strong chaos regimes to other network geometries, such as the stub lattice, which serves as a representative flat-band system.

nlin.CD↗

arXiv2024

Topologically invisible defects in chiral mirror lattices

One of the hallmark of topological insulators is having conductivity properties that are unaffected by the possible presence of defects. In this work, we go beyond backscattering immunity and obtain topological invisibility across defects or disorder. Using a combination of chiral and mirror symmetry, the transmission coefficient is guaranteed to be unity. Importantly, but no phase shift is induced making the defect completely invisible. Many lattices possess the chiral-mirror symmetry, and we choose to demonstrate the principle on an hexagonal lattice model with Kekule distortion displaying topological edge waves, and we show analytically and numerically that the transmission across symmetry preserving defects is unity. We then realize this lattice in an acoustic system, and confirm the invisibility with numerical experiments. We foresee that the versatility of our model will trigger new experiments to observe topological invisibility in various wave systems, such as photonics, cold atoms or elastic waves.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2023

Equireflectionality and customized unbalanced coherent perfect absorption in asymmetric waveguide networks

We explore the scattering of waves in designed asymmetric one-dimensional waveguide networks. We show that the reflection between two ports of an asymmetric network can be identical over a broad frequency range, as if the network was mirror-symmetric, under the condition of so-called latent symmetry between the ports. This broadband equireflectionality is validated numerically for acoustic waveguides and experimentally through measurements on microwave transmission-line networks. In addition, introducing a generalization of latent symmetry, we study the properties of an $N$-port scattering matrix $S$. When the powers of $S$ fulfill certain relations, which we coin scaled cospectrality, the setup is guaranteed to possess at least one zero eigenvalue of $S$, so that the setup features coherent perfect absorption. More importantly, scaled cospectrality introduces a scaling factor which controls the asymmetry of the incoming wave to be absorbed. Our findings introduce a novel approach for designing tunable wave manipulation devices in asymmetric setups. As evidenced by our acoustic simulations and microwave experiments, the generality of our approach extends its potential applications to a wide range of physical systems.

physics.class-ph↗

arXiv2023

Wave-packet spreading in the disordered and nonlinear Su-Schrieffer-Heeger chain

We numerically investigate the characteristics of the long-time dynamics of a single-site wave-packet excitation in a disordered and nonlinear Su-Schrieffer-Heeger model. In the linear regime, as the parameters controlling the topology of the system are varied, we show that the transition between two different topological phases is preceded by an anomalous diffusion, in contrast to Anderson localization within these topological phases. In the presence of on-site nonlinearity this feature is lost due to mode-mode interactions. Direct numerical simulations reveal that the characteristics of the asymptotic nonlinear wave-packet spreading are the same across the whole studied parameter space. Our findings underline the importance of mode-mode interactions in nonlinear topological systems, which must be studied in order to define reliable nonlinear topological markers.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2022

Acoustic solitons in a periodic waveguide: theory and experiments

We study the propagation of high-amplitude sound waves, in the form of pulse-like solitary waves, in an air-filled acoustic waveguide of periodically varying cross section. Our numerical simulations, solving the compressible Navier-Stokes equations in two dimensions, as well as our experimental results, strongly suggest that nonlinear losses, originated from vortex shedding (at the segment changes) are crucial in the dynamics of high amplitude pulses. We find that, even in the presence of strong dissipation, the solitary wave roughly retains its characteristics (as described by the amplitude-velocity-width relations), obtained by the derivation and analysis of an effective Boussinesq equation. In addition, we propose a transmission-line based numerical scheme, able to capture well the experimental results. The proposed design offers a new playground for the study of the combined effects of dispersion, nonlinearity and dissipation in air-borne acoustics, while, due to its simplicity, it can be extended to higher dimensions.

nlin.PS↗

arXiv2022

Wave-packet spreading in disordered soft architected structures

We study the dynamical and chaotic behavior of a disordered one-dimensional elastic mechanical lattice which supports translational and rotational waves. The model used in this work is motivated by the recent experimental results of B. Deng et al., Nat. Commun. 9, 3410 (2018). This lattice is characterized by strong geometrical nonlinearities and the coupling of two degrees-of-freedom (DoFs) per site. Although the linear limit of the structure consists of a linear Fermi-Pasta-Ulam-Tsingou lattice and a linear Klein-Gordon (KG) lattice whose DoFs are uncoupled, by using single site initial excitations on the rotational DoF, we evoke the nonlinear coupling between the system's translational and rotational DoFs. Our results reveal that such coupling induces rich wave-packet spreading behavior in the presence of strong disorder. In the weakly nonlinear regime, we observe energy spreading only due to the coupling of the two DoFs (per site) which is in contrast to what is known for KG lattices with a single DoF per lattice site, where the spreading occurs due to chaoticity. Additionally, for strong nonlinearities, we show that initially localized wave-packets attain near ballistic behavior in contrast to other known models. We also reveal persistent chaos during energy spreading, although its strength decreases in time as quantified by the evolution of the system's finite-time maximum Lyapunov exponent. Our results show that flexible, disordered and strongly nonlinear lattices are a viable platform to study energy transport in combination with multiple DoFs (per site), also present an alternative way to control energy spreading in heterogeneous media.

nlin.CD↗

arXiv2022

Acoustic Su-Schrieffer-Heeger lattice: Direct mapping of acoustic waveguides to Su-Schrieffer-Heeger model

Topological physics strongly relies on prototypical lattice model with particular symmetries. We report here on a theoretical and experimental work on acoustic waveguides that is directly mapped to the one-dimensional Su-Schrieffer-Heeger chiral model. Starting from the continuous two dimensional wave equation we use a combination of monomadal approximation and the condition of equal length tube segments to arrive at the wanted discrete equations. It is shown that open or closed boundary conditions topological leads automatically to the existence of edge modes. We illustrate by graphical construction how the edge modes appear naturally owing to a quarter-wavelength condition and the conservation of flux. Furthermore, the transparent chirality of our system, which is ensured by the geometrical constraints allows us to study chiral disorder numerically and experimentally. Our experimental results in the audible regime demonstrate the predicted robustness of the topological edge modes.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2021

Subwavelength Su-Schrieffer-Heeger topological modes in acoustic waveguides

Topological systems furnish a powerful way of localizing wave energy at edges of a structured material. Usually this relies on Bragg scattering to obtain bandgaps with nontrivial topological structures. However, this limits their applicability to low frequencies since that would require very large structures. A standard approach to address the problem is to add resonating elements inside the material to open gaps in the subwavelength regime. Unfortunately, one usually has no precise control on the properties of the obtained topological modes, such as their frequency or localization length. In this work, we propose a new construction to couple acoustic resonators such that acoustic modes are mapped exactly to the eigenmodes of the Su-Schrieffer-Heeger model. The relation between energy in the lattice model and the acoustic frequency is controlled by the characteristics of the resonators. This allows us to obtain Su-Schrieffer-Heeger topological modes at any given frequency, for instance in the subwavelength regime. We also generalize the construction to obtain well-controlled topological edge modes in alternative tunable configurations.

physics.class-ph↗

arXiv2021

Energy spreading, equipartition and chaos in lattices with non-central forces

We numerically study a one dimensional, nonlinear lattice model which in the linear limit is relevant to the study of bending (flexural) waves. In contrast with the classic one dimensional mass-spring system, the linear dispersion relation of the considered model has different characteristics in the low frequency limit. By introducing disorder in the masses of the lattice particles, we investigate how different nonlinearities (cubic, quartic and their combination) lead to energy delocalization, equipartition and chaotic dynamics. We excite the lattice using single site initial momentum excitations corresponding to a strongly localized linear mode and increase the initial energy of excitation. Beyond a certain energy threshold, when the cubic nonlinearity is present, the system is found to reach energy equipartition and total delocalization. On the other hand, when only the quartic nonlinearity is activated, the system remains localized and away from equipartition at least for the energies and evolution times considered here. However, for large enough energies for all types of nonlinearities we observe chaos. This chaotic behavior is combined with energy delocalization when cubic nonlinearities are present, while the appearance of only quartic nonlinearity leads to energy localization. Our results reveal a rich dynamical behavior and show differences with the relevant Fermi-Pasta-Ulam-Tsingou model. Our findings pave the way for the study of models relevant to bending (flexural) waves in the presence of nonlinearity and disorder, anticipating different energy transport behaviors.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2021

Topological two-dimensional Su-Schrieffer-Heeger analogue acoustic networks: Total reflection at corners and corner induced modes

In this work, we investigate some aspects of an acoustic analogue of the two-dimensional Su-Schrieffer-Heeger model. The system is composed of alternating cross-section tubes connected in a square network, which in the limit of narrow tubes is described by a discrete model coinciding with the two-dimensional Su-Schrieffer-Heeger model. This model is known to host topological edge waves, and we develop a scattering theory to analyze how these waves scatter on edge structure changes. We show that these edge waves undergo a perfect reflection when scattering on a corner, incidentally leading to a new way of constructing corner modes. It is shown that reflection is high for a broad class of edge changes such as steps or defects. We then study consequences of this high reflectivity on finite networks. Globally, it appears that each straight part of edges, separated by corners or defects, hosts localized edge modes isolated from their neighbourhood.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2020

Robustness of topological corner modes against disorder and application to acoustic networks

We study the two-dimensional extension of the Su-Schrieffer-Heeger model in its higher order topological insulator phase, which is known to host corner states. Using the separability of the model into a product of one-dimensional Su-Schrieffer-Heeger chains, we analytically describe the eigen-modes, and specifically the zero-energy level, which includes states localized in corners. We then consider networks with disordered hopping coefficients that preserve the chiral (sublattice) symmetry of the model. We show that the corner mode and its localization properties are robust against disorder if the hopping coefficients have a vanishing flux on appropriately defined super plaquettes. We then show how this model with disorder can be realised using an acoustic network of air channels, and confirm the presence and robustness of corner modes.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2019

Multi-functional resonant acoustic networks for wave routing

We demonstrate that asymmetric 3-port devices can be used to design a multi-functional set-up operating as a symmetric combiner and splitter at the same frequency. For a concrete implementation of the proposed multi-functionality protocol, we employ a resonant acoustic 3-port device operating in a subwavelength regime, showing splitting/combining abilities with nearly perfect transmission in presence of losses, induced by the interactions of the system's resonances. Finally, as an extension of the 3-port multi-functionality concept, we propose a new type of 4-port networks, consisting in an assembly of 3-port unit cells with combining/splitting properties, capable to achieve various wave guiding features with perfect transmission depending on the phase of the inputs.

physics.class-ph↗

arXiv2019

Observation of edge waves in a two-dimensional Su-Schrieffer-Heeger acoustic network

In this work, we experimentally report the acoustic realization the two-dimensional (2D) Su-Schrieffer-Heeger (SSH) model in a simple network of air channels. We analytically study the steady state dynamics of the system using a set of discrete equations for the acoustic pressure, leading to the 2D SSH Hamiltonian matrix without using tight binding approximation. By building an acoustic network operating in audible regime, we experimentally demonstrate the existence of topological band gap. More supremely, within this band gap we observe the associated edge waves even though the system is open to free space. Our results not only experimentally demonstrate topological edge waves in a zero Berry curvature system but also provide a flexible platform for the study of topological properties of sound waves.

physics.class-ph↗

arXiv2017

Bright and Gap Solitons in Membrane-Type Acoustic Metamaterials

We study analytically and numerically envelope solitons (bright and gap solitons) in a one-dimensional, nonlinear acoustic metamaterial, composed of an air-filled waveguide periodically loaded by clamped elastic plates. Based on the transmission line approach, we derive a nonlinear dynamical lattice model which, in the continuum approximation, leads to a nonlinear, dispersive and dissipative wave equation. Applying the multiple scales perturbation method, we derive an effective lossy nonlinear Schrödinger equation and obtain analytical expressions for bright and gap solitons. We also perform direct numerical simulations to study the dissipation-induced dynamics of the bright and gap solitons. Numerical and analytical results, relying on the analytical approximations and perturbation theory for solions, are found to be in good agreement.

nlin.PS↗

arXiv2015

Asymmetric acoustic propagation of wave packets via the self-demodulation effect

This article presents the experimental characterization of nonreciprocal elastic wave transmission in a single-mode elastic waveguide. This asymmetric system is obtained by coupling a selection layer with a conversion layer: the selection component is provided by a phononic crystal, while the conversion is achieved by a nonlinear self-demodulation effect in a 3D unconsolidated granular medium. A quantitative experimental study of this acoustic rectifier indicates a high rectifying ratio, up to $10^6$, with wide band (10 kHz) and an audible effect. Moreover, this system allows for wave-packet rectification and extends the future applications of asymmetric systems.

physics.class-ph↗

arXiv2014

Numerical investigation of acoustic solitons

Acoustic solitons can be obtained by considering the propagation of large amplitude sound waves across a set of Helmholtz resonators. The model proposed by Sugimoto and his coauthors has been validated experimentally in previous works. Here we examine some of its theoretical properties: low-frequency regime, balance of energy, stability. We propose also numerical experiments illustrating typical features of solitary waves.

physics.class-ph↗

arXiv2014

Transparency robust to disorder in a periodic array of Helmholtz resonators

In this paper, the influence of disorder on 1D periodic lattice of resonant scatterers is inspected. These later have multiple resonance frequencies which produce bandgap in the transmission spectrum. One peculiarity of the presented system is that it is chosen with a nearly perfect overlap between the Bragg and the second hybridization bandgaps. In the case of a perfect ordered lattice, and around this overlap, this produces a narrow transparency band within a large second bandgap. As expected, the effect of the disorder is generally to increase the width of the bandgaps. Nevertheless, the transparency band appears to be robust with respect to an increase of the disorder. In this paper, we study this effect by means of experimental investigations and numerical simulations.

physics.optics↗