COMPUTATION OF NONRECIPROCAL DYNAMICS IN NONLINEAR MATERIALS

The reciprocity theorem in elastic materials states that the response of a linear, time-invariant system to an external load remains invariant with respect to interchanging the locations of the input and output. In the presence of nonlinear forces within a material, circumventing the reciprocity invariance requires breaking the mirror symmetry of the medium, thus allowing different wave propagation characteristics in opposite directions along the same transmission path. This work highlights the application of numerical continuation methods for exploring the steady-state nonreciprocal dynamics of nonlinear periodic materials in response to external harmonic drive. Using the archetypal example of coupled oscillators, we apply continuation methods to analyze the influence of nonlinearity and symmetry on the reciprocity invariance. We present symmetry-breaking bifurcations for systems with and without mirror symmetry, and discuss their influence on the nonreciprocal dynamics. Direct computation of the reciprocity bias allows the identification of response regimes in which nonreciprocity manifests itself as a phase shift in the output displacements. Various operating regimes, bifurcations and manifestations of nonreciprocity are identified and discussed throughout the work.