Wave-based liquid-interface metamaterials.
The control of matter motion at liquid-gas interfaces opens an opportunity to create two-dimensional materials with remotely tunable properties. In analogy with optical lattices used in ultra-cold atom physics, such materials can be created by a wave field capable of dynamically guiding matter into periodic spatial structures. Here we show experimentally that such structures can be realized at the macroscopic scale on a liquid surface by using rotating waves. The wave angular momentum is transferred to floating micro-particles, guiding them along closed trajectories. These orbits form stable spatially periodic patterns, the unit cells of a two-dimensional wave-based material. Such dynamic patterns, a mirror image of the concept of metamaterials, are scalable and biocompatible. They can be used in assembly applications, conversion of wave energy into mean two-dimensional flows and for organising motion of active swimmers.
Centre for Plasmas and Fluids, Research School of Physics and Engineering, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2601, Australia.
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N
Francois
Centre for Plasmas and Fluids, Research School of Physics and Engineering, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2601, Australia.
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H
Xia
Centre for Plasmas and Fluids, Research School of Physics and Engineering, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2601, Australia.
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0000-0001-9831-1779
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Punzmann
Physics Department, Seattle University, 901 12th Avenue, PO Box 222000, Seattle, Washington 98122, USA.
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Fontana
Centre for Plasmas and Fluids, Research School of Physics and Engineering, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2601, Australia.
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0000-0003-4725-0587
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Shats