Flexural wave absorption by lossy gradient elastic metasurface

A broadband elastic wave absorption by a sub-wavelength and lightweight structure is of considerable significance in vibration suppression, especially for low frequencies in plate-like structure. However, it has always been a great challenge. In this research, we systematically study the flexural wave diffraction in a thin plate. Based on the diffraction mechanism, we propose the concept of sub-wavelength lossy gradient elastic metasurface for flexural wave absorption. We theoretically reveal high-efficiency and quasi-omnidirectional absorption behavior, which stem from maximum multireflection-enhanced absorption of the 0th order diffraction. We experimentally demonstrate a robust high-efficiency absorption in the frequency range from 343 to 1000 Hz (larger than 1.5 octaves). In addition, we propose a general approach which involves new physics of adjusting an arrangement sequence of subunits to suppress the first-order diffraction mode. This allows to further reduce the sub-wavelength thickness of the metasurface while maintaining its high-efficiency absorption. Our designs could provide new routes to broadband vibration suppression and cancelation in low frequency by lossy elastic metamaterials and metasurfaces.