Scientists interpret physics behind invisibility cloaks

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When a polarized plane wave is incident upon an ideal spherical cloak the object behind the cloak is completely hidden as shown in this figure (wave arrows from behind pass through the cloak to appear in front). Credit: Chen et al. 2007 PRL.
When a polarized plane wave is incident upon an ideal spherical cloak, the object behind the cloak is completely hidden, as shown in this figure (wave arrows from behind pass through the cloak to appear in front). Credit: Chen, et al. ©2007 PRL.

Is a perfect invisible cloak theoretically possible? Are there certain wavelengths—such as those in the visible spectrum—that can’t be made invisible? How will using imperfect materials affect the performance of a cloak? Scientists from Zhejiang University and MIT have recently analyzed the physics behind invisibility cloaks in an attempt to answer some of these questions.


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