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Optical Metamaterials pp 159–195Cite as

Transformation Optics and Electromagnetic Cloak of Invisibility

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Abstract

This chapter elaborates on the possibility and approach of using metamaterials to achieve the ultimate optical illusion – invisibility. Invisibility is a longtime dream that may date back to the very beginning of human civilization. The concept of being unseen and hence undetectable has appeared numerously in myths, legends, folklore and fiction as well as occurring in modern works such as movies, TV series and video games. For example, in the Greek mythology, the hero Perseus (son of Zeus) killed and beheaded Medusa (one of the Gorgons) when equipped with a helmet of invisibility. Also during the ancient Greek period, Plato described in his great work The Republic the ring of Gyges which could allow its owner to be invisible at will. This is one of the literary sources of many popular and similar subsequent stories, including the well-known book series and movie trilogy The Lord of the Rings.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA

    Dr. W. Cai

  2. Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA

    Prof. V. Shalaev

Authors
  1. Dr. W. Cai
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  2. Prof. V. Shalaev
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Corresponding authors

Correspondence to W. Cai or V. Shalaev .

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Cai, W., Shalaev, V. (2010). Transformation Optics and Electromagnetic Cloak of Invisibility. In: Optical Metamaterials. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-1151-3_9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-1151-3_9

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4419-1150-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4419-1151-3

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