Non-Bloch band theory for time-modulated discrete mechanical systems

This study establishes a non-Bloch band theory for time-modulated discrete mechanical systems. We consider simple mass–spring chains whose stiffness is periodically modulated in time. Using the temporal Floquet theory, the system is characterized by linear algebraic equations in terms of Fourier coefficients. This allows us to employ a standard linear eigenvalue analysis. Unlike non-modulated linear systems, the time modulation makes the coefficient matrix non-Hermitian, which gives rise to, for example, parametric resonance, non-reciprocal wave transmission, and non-Hermitian skin effects. In particular, we study finite-length chains consisting of spatially periodic mass–spring units and show that the standard Bloch band theory is not valid for estimating their eigenvalue distribution. To remedy this, we propose a non-Bloch band theory based on a generalized Brillouin zone. This novel approach, the combination of the temporal Floquet theory for time-modulated systems and generalized Brillouin zone, enables the prediction of eigenvalue distribution under open boundary conditions and also quantitative characterization of non-Hermitian skin modes. The proposed theory is verified by some numerical experiments. • A non-Bloch band theory for time-modulated mechanical systems is proposed. • Finite and periodic chains of mass–spring pairs are studied. • Time modulation gives rise to non-reciprocal wave propagation and non-Hermitian skin effects. • The proposed non-Bloch band theory is verified by numerical experiments.