Space-time modulation-based metamaterials have recently spurred considerable interest, owing to the fundamental addition of the time dimension to the medium parameters and resulting novel properties and potential applications. However, the implementation of most related structures—e.g., involving step, slab, or gradient discontinuities—has been hindered by the impossible requirement of infinitely or prohibitively large device sizes. Here, we provide a solution to this issue, consisting in a space-time transposition of the conventional Fresnel prism, whereby a copy of the target modulation is periodically reinjected at the input of a Fresnel-reduced finite structure, so as to provide the same anharmonic and nonreciprocal frequency conversion as the target space-time interface in the case of a modulation step. This concept, which may readily extend to slab or gradient modulations, as well as accelerated profiles for space-time chirping operations, may pave the way for the practical development of a wide range of novel microwave and optical space-time systems.

• Received 10 July 2023
• Revised 26 September 2023
• Accepted 18 October 2023

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevApplied.20.054029