Acoustic vortex tunneling through subwavelength channels with topological-pair metasurfaces
Phys. Rev. Applied 25, 024001 – Published 2 February, 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/q8qn-1mcq
Abstract
Vortex wave tunneling through constricted spaces is fundamentally attractive and holds substantial potential for orbital angular momentum applications. However, methods to realize such tunneling remain largely scarce. Here, we introduce a novel approach for achieving acoustic vortex tunneling through subwavelength channels using topological-pair metasurfaces (TPMs). TPMs are engineered to exhibit opposite topological charges, harnessing non-Hermitian coupling to enable complete vortex absorption and subsequent lasing within a subwavelength channel, thereby facilitating perfect vortex tunneling. Crucially, such non-Hermitian TPMs incorporating intrinsic Fabry-Pérot resonances allow this tunneling effect to occur under lossless and remote conditions, which enables vortex tunneling transmission across arbitrary propagation routes. As a proof of concept, we experimentally demonstrate acoustic vortex tunneling transmission along straight, curved, and bifurcating propagation pathways. This work establishes a paradigm for extraordinary tunneling behaviors of complex structured fields and offers a promising platform for precise control of vortex field propagation, with significant implications for high-capacity communications and particle manipulation in practical applications.
