On waves in multi-scale chiral elastic systems

Abstract

The paper addresses the question of the dynamic chirality in vibrating elastic systems. An overview of continuous and discrete models is presented with the focus on phenomena, associated with the rotational motion, which are absent in classical non-chiral media. The time dependence is essential for the models discussed in this paper—the effects attributed to the dynamic chirality do not occur in the case of static elastic deformations. A formal connection is also drawn between the mathematical formulations for a class of elastic waves in chiral systems and electromagnetic waves in magnetised media. Both continuum and discrete systems, analysed in the context of the wave localisation and dispersion, are discussed here.