Showing papers on "Transformation optics published in 2011"

Transformation Optics Using Graphene

Abstract: Metamaterials and transformation optics play substantial roles in various branches of optical science and engineering by providing schemes to tailor electromagnetic fields into desired spatial patterns. We report a theoretical study showing that by designing and manipulating spatially inhomogeneous, nonuniform conductivity patterns across a flake of graphene, one can have this material as a one-atom-thick platform for infrared metamaterials and transformation optical devices. Varying the graphene chemical potential by using static electric field yields a way to tune the graphene conductivity in the terahertz and infrared frequencies. Such degree of freedom provides the prospect of having different "patches" with different conductivities on a single flake of graphene. Numerous photonic functions and metamaterial concepts can be expected to follow from such a platform.

Past achievements and future challenges in the development of three-dimensional photonic metamaterials

Abstract: Photonic metamaterials are man-made structures composed of tailored micro- or nanostructured metallodielectric subwavelength building blocks. This deceptively simple yet powerful concept allows the realization of many new and unusual optical properties, such as magnetism at optical frequencies, negative refractive index, large positive refractive index, zero reflection through impedance matching, perfect absorption, giant circular dichroism and enhanced nonlinear optical properties. Possible applications of metamaterials include ultrahigh-resolution imaging systems, compact polarization optics and cloaking devices. This Review describes recent progress in the fabrication of three-dimensional metamaterial structures and discusses some of the remaining challenges.

Metamaterials: a new frontier of science and technology

Abstract: Metamaterials, artificial composite structures with exotic material properties, have emerged as a new frontier of science involving physics, material science, engineering and chemistry. This critical review focuses on the fundamentals, recent progresses and future directions in the research of electromagnetic metamaterials. An introduction to metamaterials followed by a detailed elaboration on how to design unprecedented electromagnetic properties of metamaterials is presented. A number of intriguing phenomena and applications associated with metamaterials are discussed, including negative refraction, sub-diffraction-limited imaging, strong optical activities in chiral metamaterials, interaction of meta-atoms and transformation optics. Finally, we offer an outlook on future directions of metamaterials research including but not limited to three-dimensional optical metamaterials, nonlinear metamaterials and “quantum” perspectives of metamaterials (142 references).

A terahertz metamaterial with unnaturally high refractive index

Abstract: Controlling the electromagnetic properties of materials, going beyond the limit that is attainable with naturally existing substances, has become a reality with the advent of metamaterials. The range of various structured artificial 'atoms' has promised a vast variety of otherwise unexpected physical phenomena, among which the experimental realization of a negative refractive index has been one of the main foci thus far. Expanding the refractive index into a high positive regime will complete the spectrum of achievable refractive index and provide more design flexibility for transformation optics. Naturally existing transparent materials possess small positive indices of refraction, except for a few semiconductors and insulators, such as lead sulphide or strontium titanate, that exhibit a rather high peak refractive index at mid- and far-infrared frequencies. Previous approaches using metamaterials were not successful in realizing broadband high refractive indices. A broadband high-refractive-index metamaterial structure was theoretically investigated only recently, but the proposed structure does not lend itself to easy implementation. Here we demonstrate that a broadband, extremely high index of refraction can be realized from large-area, free-standing, flexible terahertz metamaterials composed of strongly coupled unit cells. By drastically increasing the effective permittivity through strong capacitive coupling and decreasing the diamagnetic response with a thin metallic structure in the unit cell, a peak refractive index of 38.6 along with a low-frequency quasi-static value of over 20 were experimentally realized for a single-layer terahertz metamaterial, while maintaining low losses. As a natural extension of these single-layer metamaterials, we fabricated quasi-three-dimensional high-refractive-index metamaterials, and obtained a maximum bulk refractive index of 33.2 along with a value of around 8 at the quasi-static limit.

Macroscopic invisibility cloaking of visible light

Abstract: Invisibility cloaks, which used to be confined to the realm of fiction, have now been turned into a scientific reality thanks to the enabling theoretical tools of transformation optics and conformal mapping. Inspired by those theoretical works, the experimental realization of electromagnetic invisibility cloaks has been reported at various electromagnetic frequencies. All the invisibility cloaks demonstrated thus far, however, have relied on nano- or micro-fabricated artificial composite materials with spatially varying electromagnetic properties, which limit the size of the cloaked region to a few wavelengths. Here, we report the first realization of a macroscopic volumetric invisibility cloak constructed from natural birefringent crystals. The cloak operates at visible frequencies and is capable of hiding, for a specific light polarization, three-dimensional objects of the scale of centimetres and millimetres. Our work opens avenues for future applications with macroscopic cloaking devices.

Macroscopic invisibility cloak for visible light

Abstract: Invisibility cloaks, a subject that usually occurs in science fiction and myths, have attracted wide interest recently because of their possible realization. The biggest challenge to true invisibility is known to be the cloaking of a macroscopic object in the broad range of wavelengths visible to the human eye. Here we experimentally solve this problem by incorporating the principle of transformation optics into a conventional optical lens fabrication with low-cost materials and simple manufacturing techniques. A transparent cloak made of two pieces of calcite is created. This cloak is able to conceal a macroscopic object with a maximum height of 2 mm, larger than 3500 free-space-wavelength, inside a transparent liquid environment. Its working bandwidth encompassing red, green, and blue light is also demonstrated.

Metasurfing: Addressing Waves on Impenetrable Metasurfaces

Abstract: Metasurfaces constitute a class of thin metamaterials, which are used from microwave to optical frequencies to create new antennas and microwave devices. Here, we propose the use of variable-impedance metasurfaces for transforming surface or guided waves into different wavefield configurations with desirable properties. We will shortly refer to this metasurface-driven wavefield transformation as “metasurfing.” Metasurfing can be obtained by an appropriate synthesis of inhomogeneous metasurface reactance that allows a local modification of the dispersion equation and, at constant operating frequency, of the local wave vector. The general effects of metasurface modulation are similar to those obtained in solid (volumetric) inhomogeneous metamaterial as predicted by the transformation optics-namely, readdressing the propagation path of an incident wave. However, significant technological simplicity is gained. Several examples are shown as a proof of concept.

An extremely broad band metamaterial absorber based on destructive interference.

Abstract: We propose a design of an extremely broad frequency band absorber based on destructive interference mechanism. Metamaterial of multilayered SRRs structure is used to realize a desirable refractive index dispersion spectrum, which can induce a successive anti-reflection in a wide frequency range. The corresponding high absorptance originates from the destructive interference of two reflection waves from the two surfaces of the metamaterial. A strongly absorptive bandwidth of almost 60GHz is demonstrated in the range of 0 to 70GHz numerically. This design provides an effective and feasible way to construct broad band absorber in stealth technology, as well as the enhanced transmittance devices.

Plasmonic Luneburg and Eaton lenses

Abstract: Plasmonics takes advantage of the properties of surface plasmon polaritons, which are localized or propagating quasiparticles in which photons are coupled to the quasi-free electrons in metals. In particular, plasmonic devices can confine light in regions with dimensions that are smaller than the wavelength of the photons in free space, and this makes it possible to match the different length scales associated with photonics and electronics in a single nanoscale device. Broad applications of plasmonics that have been demonstrated to date include biological sensing, sub-diffraction-limit imaging, focusing and lithography and nano-optical circuitry. Plasmonics-based optical elements such as waveguides, lenses, beamsplitters and reflectors have been implemented by structuring metal surfaces or placing dielectric structures on metals to manipulate the two-dimensional surface plasmon waves. However, the abrupt discontinuities in the material properties or geometries of these elements lead to increased scattering of surface plasmon polaritons, which significantly reduces the efficiency of these components. Transformation optics provides an alternative approach to controlling the propagation of light by spatially varying the optical properties of a material. Here, motivated by this approach, we use grey-scale lithography to adiabatically tailor the topology of a dielectric layer adjacent to a metal surface to demonstrate a plasmonic Luneburg lens that can focus surface plasmon polaritons. We also make a plasmonic Eaton lens that can bend surface plasmon polaritons. Because the optical properties are changed gradually rather than abruptly in these lenses, losses due to scattering can be significantly reduced in comparison with previously reported plasmonic elements.

Transformation optics and metamaterials

Abstract: We review recent progress in developing a new class of specially designed optical metamaterial spaces with functionalities that cannot be obtained with conventional optics or natural materials These optical metamaterial spaces could enable innovative paradigms of transformation optics pertinent to optical cloaking, sub-wavelength sensing, super-resolution imaging, magnifying hyperlenses, and light-concentrating devices We also outline our recent development and deployment of an easy-to-use, multifaceted, on-line research environment for the nanophotonics research community In particular, we show representative examples of two online software tools addressing a growing need for efficient numerical simulations in the area of transformation optics

On electromagnetic characterization and homogenization of nanostructured metamaterials

Abstract: In this overview paper the trends in the modern literature concerning the characterization of linear electromagnetic properties of nanostructured metamaterials are briefly discussed. Electromagnetic characterization of bulk and surface metamaterials is discussed. The problem of characterization of metamaterials with spatial dispersion effects is addressed. It is shown that for bulk metamaterials formed as orthorhombic dipole lattices experimental electromagnetic characterization (retrieval of material parameters) becomes possible. However, standard schemes of material parameter retrieval contain pitfalls even for this kind of material. To clarify these pitfalls the concept of characteristic material parameters is suggested which is clearer and more restrictive that the concept of effective material parameters. For a special but important class of metamaterials (called Bloch lattices by the author) bulk material parameters are obtained which probably fit the concept of electromagnetic characterization because they satisfy basic physical limitations. Further, the problem of the violation of Maxwell boundary conditions for a macroscopic field at the physical boundary of the metamaterial lattice is discussed. The role of transition layers (perhaps transition sheets) in the characterization of metamaterials is explained. Finally, a relevant numerical example is presented as an illustration of the theory.

Transparent conductive oxides: Plasmonic materials for telecom wavelengths

Abstract: We show that despite of low loss, silver and gold are not suitable for a variety of nanoplasmonic applications in the infrared range, which require compact modes in single-interface plasmonic waveguides. At the same time, degenerate wide-band-gap semiconductors can serve as high-quality plasmonic materials at telecom wavelengths, combining fairly high compactness and relatively low loss. Their plasmonic properties in the near-infrared can be compared to those of gold in the visible range. The same materials can be used in a variety of non-plasmonic metamaterials applications, including transformation optics and invisibility cloaking.

Magnetoelastic metamaterials

Abstract: We propose and demonstrate experimentally a novel type of nonlinearity in metamaterials, which is induced by mechanical deformation of the structure. The nonlinearity arises from the introduction of an extra degree of freedom in the metamaterial, which allows for elastic displacement of the strongly interacting structural elements (see Fig. 1a). This type of nonlinearity relies on the counterplay between the electromagnetic attraction and the elastic repulsion, and the induced deformation alters the electromagnetic response of the entire structure, leading to the novel nonlinear response of the metamaterial.

Magnetoelastic nonlinear metamaterials

Abstract: We introduce the concept of magnetoelastic metamaterials with electromagnetic properties depending on elastic deformation. We predict a strong nonlinear and bistable response of such metamaterials caused by their structural reshaping in response to the applied electromagnetic field. In addition, we demonstrate experimentally the feasibility of the predicted effect.

A micromachined reconfigurable metamaterial via reconfiguration of asymmetric split-ring resonators

Abstract: A micromachined reconfigurable metamaterial is presented, whose unit cell consists of a pair of asymmetric split-ring resonators (ASRRs); one is fixed to the substrate while the other is patterned on a movable frame. The reconfigurable metamaterial and the supporting structures (e.g., microactuators, anchors, supporting frames, etc.) are fabricated on a silicon-on-insulator wafer using deep reactive-ion etching (DRIE). By adjusting the distance between the two ASRRs, the strength of dipole–dipole coupling can be tuned continuously using the micromachined actuators and this enables tailoring of the electromagnetic response. The reconfiguration of unit cells endows the micromachined reconfigurable metamaterials with unique merits such as electromagnetic response under normal incidence and wide tuning of resonant frequency (measured as 31% and 22% for transverse electric polarization and transverse magnetic polarization, respectively). The reconfiguration could also allow switching between the polarization-dependent and polarization-independent states. With these features, the micromachined reconfigurable metamaterials may find potential applications in transformation optics devices, sensors, intelligent detectors, tunable frequency-selective surfaces, and spectral filters.

A carpet cloak for visible light.

Abstract: We report an invisibility carpet cloak device, which is capable of making an object undetectable by visible light. The cloak is designed using quasi conformal mapping and is fabricated in a silicon nitride waveguide on a specially developed nanoporous silicon oxide substrate with a very low refractive index (n<1.25). The spatial index variation is realized by etching holes of various sizes in the nitride layer at deep subwavelength scale creating a local effective medium index. The fabricated device demonstrates wideband invisibility throughout the visible spectrum with low loss. This silicon nitride on low index substrate can also be a general scheme for implementation of transformation optical devices at visible frequencies.

Electromagnetic Design With Transformation Optics

Abstract: Transformation optics is an emerging technique for the design of advanced electromagnetic media. Transformation optical devices exploit the form invariance of Maxwell's equations, allowing geometry to play the dominant role in the design process rather than traditional wave or ray optics. The use of coordinate transformations vastly eases the burden of design for a large class of devices, though at the expense of increasing the complexity of the underlying materials used. Although the required constitutive parameters of a transformation optical structure can be challenging-inherently anisotropic and spatially varying, with both magnetic and electric response-nevertheless the parameter requirements can often be met or approximated through the use of artificially structured metamaterials. Here, we review the basic concepts associated with transformation optics and provide several examples to illustrate its application.

Experimental demonstration of a broadband transformation optics lens for highly directive multibeam emission

Abstract: The emerging field of transformation optics, with its powerful ability to manipulate and control electromagnetic waves, represents a promising new approach to tailor the radiation properties of antennas. However, previously reported source transformation designs have been severely limited by their narrow operating bandwidth, as well as the number and directions of radiated beams. In this paper, we design, fabricate, and characterize a new type of broadband transformation optics lens capable of converting the radiation from an embedded isotropic source into any desired number of highly directive beams pointing in arbitrary directions. We exploit the dispersive properties of the metamaterial building blocks to greatly enhance the impedance bandwidth of the embedded antenna. Moreover, the simple material parameters required by the demonstrated transformation make it amenable to the development of practical beam collimating devices that operate in both the microwave and the optical regimes.

Asymmetric transmission for linearly polarized electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: Metamaterials have shown to support the intriguing phenomenon of asymmetric electromagnetic transmission in the opposite propagation directions, for both circular and linear polarizations. In the present article, we propose a criterion on the relationship among the elements of transmission matrix, which allows asymmetrical transmission for linearly polarized electromagnetic radiation only while the reciprocal transmission for circularly one. Asymmetric hybridized metamaterials are shown to satisfy this criterion. The influence from the rotation of the sample around the radiation propagation direction is discussed. A special structure design is proposed, and its characteristics are analyzed by using numerical simulation.

A Roadmap for Metamaterials

Abstract: Metamaterials have rapidly advanced over the past few years-from being a paradigm for engineering unique electromagnetic properties to forming a material base for functional devices with tuneable, switchable and nonlinear capabilities. In the future, they will allow for dynamic quantum-effect-enabled systems.

Metallo-dielectric core–shell nanospheres as building blocks for optical three-dimensional isotropic negative-index metamaterials

Abstract: Materials showing electromagnetic properties that are not attainable in naturally occurring media, so-called metamaterials, have been lately, and still are, among the most active topics in optical and materials physics and engineering. Among these properties, one of the most attractive ones is the sub-diffraction resolving capability predicted for media having an index of refraction of −1. Here, we propose a fully three-dimensional, isotropic metamaterial with strong electric and magnetic responses in the optical regime, based on spherical metallo-dielectric core–shell nanospheres. The magnetic response stems from the lowest, magnetic-dipole resonance of the dielectric shell with a high refractive index, and can be tuned to coincide with the plasmon resonance of the metal core, responsible for the electric response. Since the response does not originate from coupling between structures, no particular periodic arrangement needs to be imposed. Moreover, due to the geometry of the constituents, the metamaterial is intrinsically isotropic and polarization independent. It could be realized with current fabrication techniques with materials such as silver (core) and silicon or germanium (shell). For these particular realistic designs, the metamaterials present a negative index in the range of 1.2–1.55 μm.

Shrinking an arbitrary object as one desires using metamaterials

Abstract: Based on transformation optics, we present a shrinking device, which can transform an arbitrary object virtually into a small-size object with different material parameters as one desires. Such an illusion device will confuse the detectors or the viewers, and hence the real size and material parameters of the enclosed object cannot be perceived. We fabricated and measured a shrinking device by using metamaterials, which works at the nonresonant frequency and has low loss. The device has been validated by both numerical simulations and experiments on circular and square objects. Good shrinking performance has been demonstrated.

Homogeneous optical cloak constructed with uniform layered structures.

Abstract: The prospect of rendering objects invisible has intrigued researchers for centuries. Transformation optics based invisibility cloak design is now bringing this goal from science fictions to reality and has already been demonstrated experimentally in microwave and optical frequencies. However, the majority of the invisibility cloaks reported so far have a spatially varying refractive index which requires complicated design processes. Besides, the size of the hidden object is usually small relative to that of the cloak device. Here we report the experimental realization of a homogenous invisibility cloak with a uniform silicon grating structure. The design strategy eliminates the need for spatial variation of the material index, and in terms of size it allows for a very large obstacle/cloak ratio. A broadband invisibility behavior has been verified at near-infrared frequencies, opening up new opportunities for using uniform layered medium to realize invisibility at any frequency ranges, where high-quality dielectrics are available.

Design and experimental demonstration of a high-directive emission with transformation optics

Abstract: With the explosion of wireless networks and automotive radar systems, there is an acute need for new materials and technologies that would not only minimize the size of these devices, but also enhance their performance. The technique of transformation optics---an innovative approach to produce artificial metamaterials that control electromagnetic waves as if space itself was transformed---provides unique opportunities to reach this goal. In this paper we design, fabricate, and characterize a new class of metamaterial capable of transforming the source distribution and radiation pattern of an isotropic microwave emitter. Our findings have considerable implications for the development of new ultradirective antennas with superior performances and compactness compared to conventional antennas operating in the same frequency range.

Modeling of time with metamaterials

Abstract: Metamaterials have already been used to model various exotic optical spaces. Here we demonstrate that mapping of monochromatic extraordinary light distribution in a hyperbolic metamaterial along some spatial direction may model the flow of time. This idea is illustrated in experiments performed with plasmonic hyperbolic metamaterials. The appearance of the statistical arrow of time is examined in an experimental scenario that emulates a big-bang-like event.

Integrated Luneburg lens via ultra-strong index gradient on silicon

Abstract: Gradient index structures are gaining increased importance with the constant development of Transformation Optics and metamaterials. Our ability to fabricate such devices, while limited, has already demonstrated the extensive capabilities of those designs, in the forms of invisibility devices, as well as illusion optics and super-lensing. In this paper we present a low loss, high index contrast lens that is integrated with conventional nanophotonic waveguides to provide improved tolerance in fiber-to-chip optical links for future communication networks. This demonstration represents a positive step in making the extraordinary capabilities of gradient index devices available for integrated optics.

Optical properties of a fabricated self-assembled bottom-up bulk metamaterial.

Abstract: We investigate the optical properties of a true three-dimensional metamaterial that was fabricated using a self-assembly bottom-up technology. The metamaterial consists of closely packed spherical clusters being formed by a large number of non-touching gold nanoparticles. After presenting experimental results, we apply a generalized Mie theory to analyze its spectral response revealing that it is dominated by a magnetic dipole contribution. By using an effective medium theory we show that the fabricated metamaterial exhibits a dispersive effective permeability, i.e. artificial magnetism. Although this metamaterial is not yet left-handed it might serve as a starting point for achieving bulk metamaterials by using bottom-up approaches.

Gain and plasmon dynamics in active negative-index metamaterials

Abstract: Photonic metamaterials allow for a range of exciting applications unattainable with ordinary dielectrics. However, the metallic nature of their meta-atoms may result in increased optical losses. Gain-enhanced metamaterials are a potential solution to this problem, but the conception of realistic, three-dimensional designs is a challenging task. Starting from fundamental electrodynamic and quantum mechanical equations, we establish and deploy a rigorous theoretical model for the spatial and temporal interaction of lightwaves with free and bound electrons inside and around metallic (nano-) structures and gain media. The derived numerical framework allows us to self-consistently study the dynamics and impact of the coherent plasmon–gain interaction, nonlinear saturation, field enhancement, radiative damping and spatial dispersion. Using numerical pump–probe experiments on a double-fishnet metamaterial structure with dye molecule inclusions, we investigate the build-up of the inversion profile and the formation of the plasmonic modes in a low-Q cavity. We find that full loss compensation occurs in a regime where the real part of the effective refractive index of the metamaterial becomes more negative compared to the passive case. Our results provide a deep insight into how internal processes affect the overall optical properties of active photonic metamaterials fostering new approaches to the design of practical, loss-compensated plasmonic nanostructures.

The colours of cloaks

Abstract: We present a survey of results from various research groups under the unifying viewpoint of transformational physics, which has been recently introduced for the design of metamaterials in optics and acoustics. We illustrate the versatility of underlying geometric transforms in order to bridge wave phenomena (the different 'colours' of waves) ranging from transverse electric waves, to linear surface water waves at an air–fluid interface, to pressure waves in fluids and out-of-plane shear waves in elastic media: these waves are all governed by a second order scalar partial differential equation (PDE) invariant under geometric transform. Moreover, flexural waves propagating in thin plates represent a very peculiar situation whereby the displacement field satisfies a fourth order scalar PDE which also retains its form under geometric transform (unlike for the Navier equation in elastodynamics). Control of flexural wave trajectories is illustrated with a multilayered cloak and a carpet. Interestingly, the colours of waves can be revealed through an analysis of the band spectra of invisibility cloaks. In the context of acoustics, this suggests one can hear the shape of a drum. Alternative avenues towards cloaking based upon anomalous resonances of a negatively refracting coating (which can be seen as the result of folding the space back onto itself), and even plasmonic shells reducing the scattering cross-section of nano-objects are also addressed.

Polarization dependent state to polarization independent state change in THz metamaterials

Abstract: We experimentally demonstrated a polarization dependent state to polarization independent state change in terahertz (THz) metamaterials. This is accomplished by reconfiguring the lattice structure of metamaterials from 2-fold to 4-fold rotational symmetry by using micromachined actuators. In experiment, it measures resonance frequency shift of 25.8% and 12.1% for TE and TM polarized incidence, respectively. Furthermore, single-band to dual-band switching is also demonstrated. Compared with the previous reported tunable metamaterials, lattice reconfiguration promises not only large tuning range but also changing of polarization dependent states, which can be used in photonic devices such as sensors, optical switches, and filters.