Acoustic blackbody through instability-induced softening

Abstract Perfect wave absorption across all wavelengths is forbidden by the causality principle. Here we demonstrate an approach that circumvents this fundamental limitation in acoustics by coupling unstable components to achieve zero static modulus. Both heuristic model simulations based on differe...

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Main Authors: Min Yang, Sichao Qu, Nicholas Fang, Shuyu Chen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-06-01
Series:Communications Physics
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s42005-025-02166-2
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author Min Yang
Sichao Qu
Nicholas Fang
Shuyu Chen
author_facet Min Yang
Sichao Qu
Nicholas Fang
Shuyu Chen
author_sort Min Yang
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Perfect wave absorption across all wavelengths is forbidden by the causality principle. Here we demonstrate an approach that circumvents this fundamental limitation in acoustics by coupling unstable components to achieve zero static modulus. Both heuristic model simulations based on different mechanisms (electromagnetic and mechanical) demonstrate the same ultra-broadband absorption exceeding 95% at all wavelengths greater than 114 times the absorber thickness, with simultaneous efficient reciprocal radiation capabilities. Theoretical analyses reveal that, counter-intuitively, this strategy approaches ideal blackbody behavior as thickness approaches zero. These findings indicate that fundamental physical constraints no longer prevent blackbody realization, leaving only material limitations as the remaining challenge.
format Article
id doaj-art-96694e5c14434e90aba3c8ded4ff50eb
institution OA Journals
issn 2399-3650
language English
publishDate 2025-06-01
publisher Nature Portfolio
record_format Article
series Communications Physics
spelling doaj-art-96694e5c14434e90aba3c8ded4ff50eb2025-08-20T02:06:28ZengNature PortfolioCommunications Physics2399-36502025-06-01811910.1038/s42005-025-02166-2Acoustic blackbody through instability-induced softeningMin Yang0Sichao Qu1Nicholas Fang2Shuyu Chen3Acoustic Metamaterials Group, Data Technology HubDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong KongDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong KongAcoustic Metamaterials Group, Data Technology HubAbstract Perfect wave absorption across all wavelengths is forbidden by the causality principle. Here we demonstrate an approach that circumvents this fundamental limitation in acoustics by coupling unstable components to achieve zero static modulus. Both heuristic model simulations based on different mechanisms (electromagnetic and mechanical) demonstrate the same ultra-broadband absorption exceeding 95% at all wavelengths greater than 114 times the absorber thickness, with simultaneous efficient reciprocal radiation capabilities. Theoretical analyses reveal that, counter-intuitively, this strategy approaches ideal blackbody behavior as thickness approaches zero. These findings indicate that fundamental physical constraints no longer prevent blackbody realization, leaving only material limitations as the remaining challenge.https://doi.org/10.1038/s42005-025-02166-2
spellingShingle Min Yang
Sichao Qu
Nicholas Fang
Shuyu Chen
Acoustic blackbody through instability-induced softening
Communications Physics
title Acoustic blackbody through instability-induced softening
title_full Acoustic blackbody through instability-induced softening
title_fullStr Acoustic blackbody through instability-induced softening
title_full_unstemmed Acoustic blackbody through instability-induced softening
title_short Acoustic blackbody through instability-induced softening
title_sort acoustic blackbody through instability induced softening
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s42005-025-02166-2
work_keys_str_mv AT minyang acousticblackbodythroughinstabilityinducedsoftening
AT sichaoqu acousticblackbodythroughinstabilityinducedsoftening
AT nicholasfang acousticblackbodythroughinstabilityinducedsoftening
AT shuyuchen acousticblackbodythroughinstabilityinducedsoftening