Tailoring transient flexural-wave propagation in transformed plates

The concept of transformation media has been primarily explored in the monochromatic regime, where device performance can deteriorate when applied to short pulses. Here, we review recent advances in tailoring transient flexural-wave propagation in transformed plates. Using the coordinate-transformation method, we implement practical solutions for a waveshifter, cloak, carpet cloak, and rotator for flexural waves, constructed from alternating thin layers of varying thicknesses within a plate. Time-resolved experiments, supported by full-wave simulations, confirm the effectiveness of these designs in bending, cloaking, and rotating flexural wave pulses while preserving their wavepackets. These results demonstrate how the traditional limitations of dispersion and impedance mismatch in transformed devices can be overcome.