Scientists are a step closer to creating a Star Trek-style cloaking device after making an object visible to the naked eye disappear for the first time.
The research works by using a naturally forming crystal called calcite which has extraordinary light bending abilities Photo: CORBIS
In the past researchers have only been able to “cloak” microscopic objects using extremely complicated physics and so-called meta-materials made on a tiny scale.
But a new study at the University of Birmingham has taken a massive step forward by making a paper clip invisible – an object thousands of times bigger than previous experiments.
The research works by using a naturally forming crystal called calcite which has extraordinary light bending abilities.
By placing the crystals over an object it “bounces” light around it rendering it totally invisible to the naked eye.
Dr Shuang Zhang, a physicist and lead investigator from the University of Birmingham, said: ‘‘This is a huge step forward as, for the first time, the cloaking area is rendered at a size that is big enough for the observer to ‘see’ the invisible object with the naked eye.
“By using natural crystals for the first time, rather than artificial meta-materials, we have been able to scale up the size of the cloak and can hide larger objects, thousands of times bigger than the wavelength of the light.”
The new technique is only limited by the size of the naturally formed crystals.
Calcite crystals can be up to 21ft long so it could be used on a car or a military vehicle.
It may also be possible to manufacture crystals with similar qualities.
Dr Zhang said: “Previous cloaks have succeeded at the micron level – much smaller than the thickness of a human hair – using a nano- or micro-fabricated artificial composite material.
“It is a very slow process to make these structures and they also restrict the size of the cloaking area.
“We believe that by using calcite, we can start to develop a cloak of significant size that will open avenues for future applications of cloaking devices.”
The research is published in the journal Nature Communications.
By Richard Alleyne, Science Correspondent 4:00PM GMT 01 Feb 2011
Source: The Telegraph
That is so awesome..