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In this work, we present a comprehensive method for determining the dispersion relation in one-dimensional waveguides, applicable to a wide range of structures, regardless of their specific characteristics. This general framework employs a unified mathematical model, referred to as *generalized beams*, where varying types of waveguides and scatterers are incorporated by adjusting certain parameters. The generalized beam consists of a host waveguide, which is a homogeneous elastic structure with physical properties represented in matrix form. The model also accounts for an arbitrary set of scatterers within the unit cell, including resonators (discrete and continuous), small material inclusions, or variations in cross-sectional area. Based on general assumptions, we develop a matrix-based algorithm utilizing the plane wave expansion method to derive the solution. Additionally, we propose an iterative procedure that provides analytical expressions for the first- and second-order terms, particularly useful in the context of weak scattering. The convergence conditions of the method are rigorously defined. The approach's effectiveness is demonstrated through several numerical examples, highlighting its versatility in different waveguide configurations and scattering scenarios.

This work reports the conditions under which weak scattering assumptions can be applied in a beam loaded by multiple resonators supporting both longitudinal and flexural waves. The work derives the equations of motion of a one-dimensional elastic waveguide with several point resonators by utilizing the Green's matrix approach. The derivations include any resonator morphology, either with a discrete or continuous distribution of resonances. The method employed is based on applying multiple scattering theory. The response can be expressed as an infinite series whose convergence is closely linked to the scattering intensity provided by the resonators. The convergence conditions are reduced to studying the spectral radius of the scattering matrix. Furthermore, the the leading order of the multiple scattering expansion is associated with the Born approximation. The work also provides approximate expressions for the spectral radius, offering a physical interpretation to the concept of weak scattering in beams. Several numerical examples are presented to validate the proposed methodology.

Two-dimensional stealthy hyperuniform distributions of rigid scatterers embedded in a waveguide are experimentally characterized the wave transport properties for scalar waves in airborne audible acoustics. The non resonant nature of the scatterers allows us to directly links the these properties to the geometric distribution of points through the structure factor. The transport properties are analyzed as a function of the stealthiness $\chi$ of their hyperuniform point pattern and compared to those of a disordered material in the diffusive regime, which are characterized by the Ohm's law through the mean free path. Different scattering regimes are theoretically and numerically identified showing transparent regions, isotropic band gaps, and anisotropic scattering depending on $\chi$. The robustness of these scattering regimes to losses which are unavoidable in audible acoustics is experimentally unvealed.

In an effective medium description of acoustic metamaterials, the Willis coupling plays the same role as the bianisotropy in electromagnetism. Willis media can be described by a constitutive matrix composed of the classical effective bulk modulus and density and additional cross-coupling terms defining the acoustic bianisotropy. Based on an unifying theoretical model, we unite the properties of acoustic Willis coupling with $\mathcal{PT}$ symmetric systems under the same umbrella and show in either case that an exceptional point hosts a remarkably pronounced scattering asymmetry that is accompanied by one-way zero reflection for sound waves. The analytical treatment is backed up by experimental input in asymmetrically side-loaded wavesguides showing how gauge transformations and loss biasing can embrace both Willis materials and non-Hermitian physics to tailor unidirectional reflectionless acoustics, which is appealing for purposeful sound insulation and steering.

Perfect, broadband and asymmetric sound absorption is theoretically, numerically and experimentally reported by using subwavelength thickness panels in a transmission problem. The panels are composed of a periodic array of varying cross-section waveguides, each of them being loaded by an array of Helmholtz resonators (HRs) with graded dimensions. The low cut-off frequency of the absorption band is fixed by the resonance frequency of the deepest HR, that reduces drastically the transmission. The preceding HR is designed with a slightly higher resonance frequency with a geometry that allows the impedance matching to the surrounding medium. Therefore, reflection vanishes and the structure is critically coupled. This results in perfect sound absorption at a single frequency. We report perfect absorption at 300 Hz for a structure whose thickness is 40 times smaller than the wavelength. Moreover, this process is repeated by adding HRs to the waveguide, each of them with a higher resonance frequency than the preceding one. Using this frequency cascade effect, we report quasi-perfect sound absorption over almost two frequency octaves ranging from 300 to 1000 Hz for a panel composed of 9 resonators with a total thickness of 11 cm, i.e., 10 times smaller than the wavelength at 300 Hz.

We theoretically and experimentally report sub-wavelength resonant panels for low-frequency quasi-perfect sound absorption including transmission by using the accumulation of cavity resonances due to the slow sound phenomenon. The sub-wavelength panel is composed of periodic horizontal slits loaded by identical Helmholtz resonators (HRs). Due to the presence of the HRs, the propagation inside each slit is strongly dispersive, with near-zero phase velocity close to the resonance of the HRs. In this slow sound regime, the frequencies of the cavity modes inside the slit are down-shifted and the slit behaves as a subwavelength resonator. Moreover, due to strong dispersion, the cavity resonances accumulate at the limit of the bandgap below the resonance frequency of the HRs. Near this accumulation frequency, simultaneously symmetric and antisymmetric quasi-critical coupling can be achieved. In this way, using only monopolar resonators quasi-perfect absorption can be obtained in a material including transmission.

Asymmetric propagation of acoustic waves is theoretically reported in a chirped phononic crystal made of the combination of two different nonlinear solids. The dispersion of the system is spatially dependent and allows the rainbow trapping inside the structure. Nonlinearity is used to activate the self-demodulation effect, which is enhanced due to the particular dispersion characteristics of the system. The main feature of the device is that integrates the nonlinear and the filtering effects in a single propagating medium. The performed numerical study reveals an efficient generation of the demodulated wave, up to 15\% in terms of the pressure amplitude, as well as strong attenuation for undesired frequency components above the cut-off frequency. The obtained energy rectification ratio is in the order of $10^4$ for the whole range of amplitudes employed in this work, indicating the robustness of the asymmetry and non-reciprocity of the proposed device for a wide operational range.

This work theoretically analyzes the sound absorption properties of a chirped multi-layer porous material including transmission, in particular showing the broadband unidirectional absorption properties of the system. Using the combination of the impedance matching condition and the balance between the leakage and the intrinsic losses, the system is designed to have broadband unidirectional and quasi perfect absorption. The transfer and scattering matrix formalism, together with numerical simulations based on the finite element method are used to demonstrate the results showing excellent agreement between them. The proposed system allows to construct broadband sound absorbers with improved absorption in the low frequency regime using less amount of material than the complete bulk porous layer.

Using the concepts of slow sound and of critical coupling, an ultra-thin acoustic metamaterial panel for perfect and omnidirectional absorption is theoretically and experimentally conceived in this work. The system is made of a rigid panel with a periodic distribution of thin closed slits, the upper wall of which is loaded by Helmholtz Resonators (HRs). The presence of resonators produces a slow sound propagation shifting the resonance frequency of the slit to the deep sub-wavelength regime ($\lambda/88$). By controlling the geometry of the slit and the HRs, the intrinsic visco-thermal losses can be tuned in order to exactly compensate the energy leakage of the system and fulfill the critical coupling condition to create the perfect absorption of sound in a large range of incidence angles due to the deep subwavelength behavior.

The formation of high-order Bessel beams by a passive acoustic device consisting of an Archimedes' spiral diffraction grating is theoretically, numerically and experimentally reported in this work. These beams are propagation-invariant solutions of the Helmholtz equation and are characterized by an azimuthal variation of the phase along its annular spectrum producing an acoustic vortex in the near field. In our system, the scattering of plane acoustic waves by the spiral grating leads to the formation of the acoustic vortex with zero pressure on-axis and the angular phase dislocations characterized by the spiral geometry. The order of the generated Bessel beam and, as a consequence, the size of the generated vortex can be fixed by the number of arms in the spiral diffraction grating. The obtained results allow to obtain Bessel beams with controllable vorticity by a passive device, which has potential applications in low-cost acoustic tweezers and acoustic radiation force devices.