The pervasive presence of electromagnetic and acoustic waves has captivated humanity since antiquity, forming the foundation of countless scientific inquiries. These waves underpin diverse applications that are essential to modern life. Around two decades ago, a transformative revolution began in this field. Driven by theoretical advancements and experimental breakthroughs, researchers demonstrated the feasibility of creating man-made materials capable of manipulating waves in ways that surpass the natural limits of conventional materials. These "wave-functional materials" include photonic/phononic crystals, metamaterials, and plasmonic structures. Such materials enable unprecedented wave manipulation, unlocking novel effects and unconventional phenomena that were once thought unattainable.
Researchers in our department have made significant contributions to this field by introducing groundbreaking concepts such as photonic quasi-crystals, negative dynamic mass, acoustic metamaterials, remote cloaking, illusion optics, zero-index materials, and optical pulling forces. Currently, we are actively engaged in cutting-edge research areas, including topological photonics/phononics and non-Hermitian physics. Supported by various external grants, we have established a robust collaborative research program aimed at advancing fundamental knowledge and driving innovation in wave-functional materials. Our mission is to address fundamental scientific challenges, translate discoveries into practical applications, and train the next generation of postgraduate students in this dynamic field.
Specifically, our research focuses on:
- Designing, fabricating, and characterizing advanced materials that manipulate light and sound in unprecedented ways.
- Developing new and improving existing theoretical, numerical, and fabrication techniques to realize these innovative materials.
- Harnessing wave-functional materials to achieve unique and extraordinary effects that are impossible with natural materials.
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