An instantaneous time mirror (ITM) is an interesting approach to manipulate wave propagation from the time boundaries. In the time domain, the reversed wave is previously proven to be the temporal derivative of the original pattern. Here, we further investigate into the relationship between the wave patterns in the spatial domain both theoretically and experimentally. The refraction of a square array of laser beams is used to determine the three-dimensional (3D) shape of the water surface. The experimental results verify the theoretical prediction that the reversed pattern is related to the Laplacian of the initial wave field. Based on these findings, the behaviors of the ITM activated in an inhomogeneous medium are discussed, and the phenomenon of total energy change is explained.

An instantaneous time mirror (ITM) is an interesting approach to manipulate wave propagation from the time boundaries. In the time domain, the reversed waveform is previously proven to be the temporal derivative of the original pattern. Here, we further investigate into the relationship between the wave patterns in the spatial domain both theoretically and experimentally. The refraction of a square array of laser beams is used to determine the three-dimensional (3D) shape of the water surface. The experimental results verify the theoretical prediction that the reversed pattern is related to the Laplacian of the initial wave field. Based on these findings, the behaviors of the ITM activated in an inhomogeneous medium are discussed, and the phenomenon of total energy change is explained.