Elastic wavepackets crossing a space-time interface

Abstract

The interaction between waves and evolving media challenges traditional conservation laws. We experimentally investigate the behavior of elastic wave packets crossing a moving interface that separates two media with distinct propagation properties, observing the non-conservation of wavelength and frequency. Our experimental setup employs an elastic strip whose local stretching can be dynamically altered by pulling one end at a constant velocity. By demonstrating that this dynamic configuration creates a spatio-temporal interface traveling along the strip, we confirm theoretical predictions regarding observed shifts when a wave packet crosses this interface.