Development of leaky-wave antenna applications with acoustics metamaterials: From the acoustic dispersive prism to sound direction finding with a single microphone

Recent studies have focused on developing metamaterials for acoustic applications, inspired by electromagnetics concepts. The acoustic leaky-wave antenna is amongst the most investigated. Despite the unfavourable properties of conventional matter and structures with respect to sound dispersion and radiation, interesting engineering processes have been recently proposed that are likely to allow such peculiar properties. After presenting the developed one-dimensional leaky-wave antenna design, this paper discusses two pioneering applications of the latter: the Acoustic Dispersive Prism and the Single-Microphone Direction Finding.