MATRIX
MATRIX is a unique experimental research platform built around a robotized three-component scanning Laser Doppler Vibrometer (3D LDV). The facility enables high-fidelity measurements of elastic wave propagation across a wide range of applications, including immersive wave experimentation, intelligent metamaterials, non-destructive testing of advanced materials, and bespoke wave physics investigations.
MATRIX (Machine for Time Reversal and Immersive eXperimentation) is a research infrastructure for the experimental investigation of elastic wave phenomena. Its core instrument is a robotized three-component scanning Laser Doppler Vibrometer (3D LDV), capable of measuring wave propagation with high spatial and temporal resolution on structures ranging from laboratory specimens to complex engineering components.
The platform combines full-wavefield measurements, advanced signal processing, and numerical modelling to study how waves interact with materials, structures, and engineered metamaterials. Applications include non-destructive testing and structural health monitoring of composite structures, development of physically-informed digital twins, intelligent metamaterials for sensing and mechanical computing, and custom measurement campaigns for challenging wave physics problems.
One of MATRIX’s unique capabilities is Elastic Immersive Experimentation, where measured wavefields are coupled to numerical domains through wavefield injection and active boundary control. This enables hybrid physical–numerical experiments in which waves can propagate seamlessly between laboratory and virtual environments.
Origins of MATRIX
MATRIX (Machine for Time Reversal and Immersive eXperimentation) originated from a European Research Council (ERC) Advanced Grant awarded to ETH Zurich in 2015. While initially developed to enable immersive wave experimentation and time-reversal studies, the facility has since expanded into a versatile research platform supporting a broad range of wave-based technologies and applications.
Related publications
Boundless Metamaterial Experimentation: Physical Realization of a Unidirectional Virtual Periodic Boundary Condition
Thomsen Henrik R., Zhao Bao and Colombi Andrea
Phys. Rev. Appl., 19(6), 064019 (2022)
external page https://doi.org/10.3929/ethz-b-000625630
Elastic immersive wave experimentation: Theory and physical implementation
Thomsen, H. R., Molerón, M., Haag, T., van Manen, D.-J. and Robertsson, J. O. A.
Phys. Rev. Res., 1(3), 033203 (2019)
external page https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevResearch.1.033203
Exact wavefield separation on an elastic-free surface with sharp corners
Thomsen, H., van Manen, D.-J. and Robertsson, Johan O. A.
SEG Technical Program Expanded Abstracts (2018)
external page https://doi.org/10.1190/segam2018-2995422.1 (login required)
Compensating for source directivity in immersive wave experimentation
Li, X., Robertsson, J., Curtis, A. and van Manen, D.-J.
J. Acoust. Soc. Am., 146(5), 3141–3158. (2019)
external page https://doi.org/10.1121/1.5131029
Acknowledgements
This project, MATRIX (MAchine for Time Reversal and Immersive wave eXperimentation), has received funding from the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme (Grant Agreement No. 694407).