Topology design and optimization of nonlinear periodic materials

This paper explores optimal topologies yielding large band gap shifts in one- and two-dimensional nonlinear periodic materials. The presence of a nonlinearity in a periodic material system results in amplitude-dependent dispersion behavior, leading to novel wave-based devices such as tunable filters, resonators, and waveguides. The performance of these devices over a broad frequency range requires large, tunable band gaps, motivating the present study. Consideration of a one-dimensional bilayer system composed of alternating linear and nonlinear layers shows that optimal designs consist of thin, compliant nonlinear layers. This is at first surprising considering the source of the shift originates from only the nonlinear layer; however, thin layers lead to localized stresses that activate the nonlinear character of the system. This trend persists in two-dimensional materials where optimization studies are performed on plane-stress models discretized using bilinear Lagrange elements. A fast algorithm is introduced for computing the dispersion shifts, enabling efficient parametric analyses of two-dimensional inclusion systems. Analogous to the one-dimensional system, it is shown that thin ligaments of nonlinear material lead to large dispersion shifts and group velocity variations. Optimal topologies of the two-dimensional system are also explored using genetic algorithms aimed at producing large increases in complete band gap width and shift, or group velocity variation, without presupposing the topology. The optimal topologies that result resemble the two-dimensional inclusion systems, but with small corner features that tend to enhance the production of dispersion shift further. Finally, the study concludes with a discussion on Bloch wave modes and their important role in the production of amplitude-dependent dispersion behavior. The results of the study provide insight and guidance on selecting topologies and materials which can yield large amplitude-dependent band gap shifts and group velocity variations, thus enabling sensitive nonlinear devices. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.