Controlling water waves with artificial structures

Abstract

Because of analogies between the 2D Maxwell equations and water wave equations, methods for manipulating electromagnetic waves based on photonic crystals and metamaterials can be extended to manipulate water waves. Doing so provides new opportunities to investigate the interaction of water waves with structures. In this Review, we introduce the research progress of controlling water waves with water wave crystals and metamaterials and summarize the basic theory and calculation methods for water waves. The working principles and design methods for water wave crystals and metamaterials are described, and their properties and applications are presented. We also discuss the current challenges in this field and future directions. Similar to acoustic and electromagnetic waves, water waves are classical waves that can be controlled by artificial structures such as water wave crystals and metamaterials. This Review surveys the development of water wave manipulation using artificial structures and describes its potential applications.