We present a black hole effect by strategically leveraging a conformal mapping in elastic continuum with a curved-space framework, which is less stringent compared to a Schwarzschild model transformed to isotropic refractive-index profiles. In the conformal map approach, the two-dimensional point singularity associated to the black hole effect is accomplished by physical plates with near-to-zero thickness. The analog gravity around the singularity results in highly confined energy and lagged timings within a branch cut of the conformal map. These effects are quantified both numerically and experimentally in reference to control trials in which the thickness is not modulated. The findings would deepen our understanding of the elastic analog in mimicking gravitational phenomena, as well as establish the elastic continuum framework for developing a generic design recipe in the presence of the index singularity. Geometric landscapes with elastically curved surfaces would be applicable in a variety of applications such as sensing, imaging, vibration isolation, and energy harvesting.

• Received 7 September 2022
• Revised 11 October 2022
• Accepted 27 October 2022

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevApplied.18.054092