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Negative
refraction gets visible
Materials
that bend light backward are a major step toward being able to see DNA and
viruses -- objects too small for today's optical microscopes. Silver nanowires
embedded in aluminum bend visible light the wrong way. Nanoscale mash patterns
cut into alternating ultrathin layers of silver and magnesium fluoride produce
the same effect in the near-infrared range. These negative index of refraction metamaterials also bring invisibility cloaks closer to reality. Previous negative index of refraction metamaterials have worked just in the microwave and infrared light ranges.
Research papers:
Optical Negative Refraction in Bulk Metamaterials of Nanowires
Science, August 15, 2008
Three-Dimensional Optical Metamaterial with a Negative Refractive Index
Nature, published online August 11, 2008
Researchers' homepages:
Xiang Zhang's Research Lab
Angelica Stacy
Related stories and briefs:
Crystal bends light back -- a previous negative of index of refraction material
Further info:
View from the High Ground: ICL's John Pendry -- an interview with the inventor of negative index of refraction materials
Back to TRN August 18/25, 2008
View from the High Ground Q&A
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