Author
Ulf Leonhardt
Other affiliations: University of Vienna, University of Cambridge, Humboldt University of Berlin ...read more
Bio: Ulf Leonhardt is an academic researcher from Weizmann Institute of Science. The author has contributed to research in topics: Casimir effect & Hawking radiation. The author has an hindex of 51, co-authored 198 publications receiving 14624 citations. Previous affiliations of Ulf Leonhardt include University of Vienna & University of Cambridge.
Papers published on a yearly basis
Papers
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TL;DR: A general recipe for the design of media that create perfect invisibility within the accuracy of geometrical optics is developed, which can be applied to escape detection by other electromagnetic waves or sound.
Abstract: An invisibility device should guide light around an object as if nothing were there, regardless of where the light comes from. Ideal invisibility devices are impossible, owing to the wave nature of light. This study develops a general recipe for the design of media that create perfect invisibility within the accuracy of geometrical optics. The imperfections of invisibility can be made arbitrarily small to hide objects that are much larger than the wavelength. With the use of modern metamaterials, practical demonstrations of such devices may be possible. The method developed here can also be applied to escape detection by other electromagnetic waves or sound.
3,850 citations
01 Oct 1997
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present a method for simultaneous measurement of position and momentum in a simple optical instrument with respect to the quantum theory of light and quasiprobability distribution.
Abstract: 1. Introduction 2. Quantum theory of light 3. Quasiprobability distribution 4. Simple optical instruments 5. Quantum tomography 6. Simultaneous measurement of position and momentum 7. Summary Appendices Bibliography Index.
890 citations
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01 Jul 1997
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present a method for simultaneous measurement of position and momentum in a simple optical instrument with respect to the quantum theory of light and quasiprobability distribution.
Abstract: 1. Introduction 2. Quantum theory of light 3. Quasiprobability distribution 4. Simple optical instruments 5. Quantum tomography 6. Simultaneous measurement of position and momentum 7. Summary Appendices Bibliography Index.
840 citations
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TL;DR: In this article, the authors show that general relativity provides the theoretical tools for designing devices made of metamaterials, such as perfect invisibility devices, perfect lenses, the optical Aharonov-Bohm effect and electromagnetic analogues of the event horizon.
Abstract: In electrical engineering metamaterials have been developed that offer unprecedented control over electromagnetic fields. Here, we show that general relativity provides the theoretical tools for designing devices made of such versatile materials. Given a desired device function, the theory describes the electromagnetic properties that turn this function into fact. We consider media that facilitate space-time transformations and include negative refraction. Our theory unifies the concepts operating behind the scenes of perfect invisibility devices, perfect lenses, the optical Aharonov–Bohm effect and electromagnetic analogues of the event horizon, and may lead to further applications.
660 citations
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04 May 2008TL;DR: This work used ultrashort pulses in microstructured optical fibers to demonstrate the formation of an artificial event horizon in optics and observed a classical optical effect: the blue-shifting of light at a white-hole horizon.
Abstract: We present a realistic scheme for an artificial event horizon in optics with ultrashort pulses in microstructured fibers that can probe the quantum effects of horizons, particularly Hawking radiation. We also show experimental progress.
658 citations
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TL;DR: This work shows how electromagnetic fields can be redirected at will and proposes a design strategy that has relevance to exotic lens design and to the cloaking of objects from electromagnetic fields.
Abstract: Using the freedom of design that metamaterials provide, we show how electromagnetic fields can be redirected at will and propose a design strategy. The conserved fields-electric displacement field D, magnetic induction field B, and Poynting vector B-are all displaced in a consistent manner. A simple illustration is given of the cloaking of a proscribed volume of space to exclude completely all electromagnetic fields. Our work has relevance to exotic lens design and to the cloaking of objects from electromagnetic fields.
7,811 citations
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TL;DR: This work describes here the first practical realization of a cloak of invisibility, constructed with the use of artificially structured metamaterials, designed for operation over a band of microwave frequencies.
Abstract: A recently published theory has suggested that a cloak of invisibility is in principle possible, at least over a narrow frequency band. We describe here the first practical realization of such a cloak; in our demonstration, a copper cylinder was "hidden" inside a cloak constructed according to the previous theoretical prescription. The cloak was constructed with the use of artificially structured metamaterials, designed for operation over a band of microwave frequencies. The cloak decreased scattering from the hidden object while at the same time reducing its shadow, so that the cloak and object combined began to resemble empty space.
6,830 citations
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TL;DR: In this article, a two-dimensional array of optical resonators with spatially varying phase response and subwavelength separation can imprint phase discontinuities on propagating light as it traverses the interface between two media.
Abstract: Conventional optical components rely on gradual phase shifts accumulated during light propagation to shape light beams. New degrees of freedom are attained by introducing abrupt phase changes over the scale of the wavelength. A two-dimensional array of optical resonators with spatially varying phase response and subwavelength separation can imprint such phase discontinuities on propagating light as it traverses the interface between two media. Anomalous reflection and refraction phenomena are observed in this regime in optically thin arrays of metallic antennas on silicon with a linear phase variation along the interface, which are in excellent agreement with generalized laws derived from Fermat’s principle. Phase discontinuities provide great flexibility in the design of light beams, as illustrated by the generation of optical vortices through use of planar designer metallic interfaces.
6,763 citations
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TL;DR: This Review focuses on recent developments on flat, ultrathin optical components dubbed 'metasurfaces' that produce abrupt changes over the scale of the free-space wavelength in the phase, amplitude and/or polarization of a light beam.
Abstract: Metamaterials are artificially fabricated materials that allow for the control of light and acoustic waves in a manner that is not possible in nature. This Review covers the recent developments in the study of so-called metasurfaces, which offer the possibility of controlling light with ultrathin, planar optical components. Conventional optical components such as lenses, waveplates and holograms rely on light propagation over distances much larger than the wavelength to shape wavefronts. In this way substantial changes of the amplitude, phase or polarization of light waves are gradually accumulated along the optical path. This Review focuses on recent developments on flat, ultrathin optical components dubbed 'metasurfaces' that produce abrupt changes over the scale of the free-space wavelength in the phase, amplitude and/or polarization of a light beam. Metasurfaces are generally created by assembling arrays of miniature, anisotropic light scatterers (that is, resonators such as optical antennas). The spacing between antennas and their dimensions are much smaller than the wavelength. As a result the metasurfaces, on account of Huygens principle, are able to mould optical wavefronts into arbitrary shapes with subwavelength resolution by introducing spatial variations in the optical response of the light scatterers. Such gradient metasurfaces go beyond the well-established technology of frequency selective surfaces made of periodic structures and are extending to new spectral regions the functionalities of conventional microwave and millimetre-wave transmit-arrays and reflect-arrays. Metasurfaces can also be created by using ultrathin films of materials with large optical losses. By using the controllable abrupt phase shifts associated with reflection or transmission of light waves at the interface between lossy materials, such metasurfaces operate like optically thin cavities that strongly modify the light spectrum. Technology opportunities in various spectral regions and their potential advantages in replacing existing optical components are discussed.
4,613 citations
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TL;DR: The first direct detection of gravitational waves and the first observation of a binary black hole merger were reported in this paper, with a false alarm rate estimated to be less than 1 event per 203,000 years, equivalent to a significance greater than 5.1σ.
Abstract: On September 14, 2015 at 09:50:45 UTC the two detectors of the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory simultaneously observed a transient gravitational-wave signal. The signal sweeps upwards in frequency from 35 to 250 Hz with a peak gravitational-wave strain of 1.0×10(-21). It matches the waveform predicted by general relativity for the inspiral and merger of a pair of black holes and the ringdown of the resulting single black hole. The signal was observed with a matched-filter signal-to-noise ratio of 24 and a false alarm rate estimated to be less than 1 event per 203,000 years, equivalent to a significance greater than 5.1σ. The source lies at a luminosity distance of 410(-180)(+160) Mpc corresponding to a redshift z=0.09(-0.04)(+0.03). In the source frame, the initial black hole masses are 36(-4)(+5)M⊙ and 29(-4)(+4)M⊙, and the final black hole mass is 62(-4)(+4)M⊙, with 3.0(-0.5)(+0.5)M⊙c(2) radiated in gravitational waves. All uncertainties define 90% credible intervals. These observations demonstrate the existence of binary stellar-mass black hole systems. This is the first direct detection of gravitational waves and the first observation of a binary black hole merger.
4,375 citations