Exploiting space-time duality in the synthesis of impedance transformers via temporal metamaterials

Multisection quarter-wave impedance trans-formers are widely applied in microwave engineering and optics to attain impedance-matching networks and anti-reflection coatings. These structures are mostly designed in the spatial domain (time harmonic) by using geometries of different materials. Here, we exploit such concepts in the time domain by using time-varying metamaterials. We derive a formal analogy between the spectral responses of these structures and their temporal analogs, i.e., time-varying stepped refractive-index profiles. We show that such space-time duality grants access to the vast arsenal of synthesis approaches available in microwave engineering and optics. This allows, for instance, the synthesis of temporal impedance transformers for broadband imped-ance matching with maximally flat or equi-ripple re-sponses, which extend and generalize the recently proposed quarter-wave design as an antireflection tem-poral coating. Our results, validated via full-wave numer-ical simulations, provide new insights and deeper understanding of the wave dynamics in time-varying me-dia, and may find important applications in space-time metastructures for broadband frequency conversion and analog signal processing.

Automated summary

The study focuses on the design and application of multisection quarter-wave impedance transformers in microwave engineering and optics. By utilizing time-varying metamaterials, a formal analogy is derived between the spectral responses and temporal analogs of these structures, showcasing the potential of space-time duality in synthesis approaches. The results, validated through full-wave numerical simulations, offer new insights into wave dynamics in time-varying media and could have important applications in space-time metastructures for broadband frequency conversion and analog signal processing.