Abstract
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.
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Acknowledgements
Y.G.M. and C.K.O. are supported by the Defense Science and Technology Agency under the Defense Innovative Research Program, Singapore (DSTA-NUS-DIRP/2004/02), T.T. acknowledges the grants MSM0021622409 and MSM0021622419 and U.L. is supported by a Royal Society Wolfson Research Merit Award.
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Y.G.M. and C.K.O. made contributions to the numerical simulations, device design, implementation and the experiment, T.T. and U.L. made contributions to the theory and U.L. suggested this project and wrote the paper.
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Ma, Y., Ong, C., Tyc, T. et al. An omnidirectional retroreflector based on the transmutation of dielectric singularities. Nature Mater 8, 639–642 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1038/nmat2489
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nmat2489
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