Letter abstract
Nature Materials 8, 639 - 642 (2009)
Published online: 28 June 2009 | doi:10.1038/nmat2489
Subject Categories: Optical, photonic and optoelectronic materials | Computation, modelling and theory
An omnidirectional retroreflector based on the transmutation of dielectric singularities
Yun Gui Ma1,
C. K. Ong2,
Tomá
Tyc3
&
Ulf Leonhardt4
Transformation optics1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 is a concept used in some metamaterials7, 8, 9, 10, 11 to guide light on a predetermined path. In this approach, the materials implement coordinate transformations on electromagnetic waves to create the illusion that the waves are propagating through a virtual space. Transforming space by appropriately designed materials makes devices possible that have been deemed impossible. In particular, transformation optics has led to the demonstration of invisibility cloaking for microwaves12, 13, surface plasmons14 and infrared light15, 16. Here, on the basis of transformation optics, we implement a microwave device that would normally require a dielectric singularity, an infinity in the refractive index. To fabricate such a device, we transmute17 a dielectric singularity in virtual space into a mere topological defect in a real metamaterial. In particular, we demonstrate an omnidirectional retroreflector18, 19, a device for faithfully reflecting images and for creating high visibility from all directions. Our method is robust, potentially broadband and could also be applied to visible light using similar techniques.
- Temasek Laboratories, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119260, Singapore
- Centre for Superconducting and Magnetic Materials, Department of Physics, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117542, Singapore
- Institute of Theoretical Physics and Astrophysics, Masaryk University, Kotlarska 2, 61137 Brno, Czech Republic
- School of Physics and Astronomy, University of St Andrews, North Haugh, St Andrews, KY16 9SS, UK
Correspondence to: Ulf Leonhardt4 e-mail: ulf@st-andrews.ac.uk
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