Negative Index Hype

Excerpted NASA Tech Briefs INSIDER 09/12/05

============================================================

PERFECT LENSES

Researchers from the University of Edinburgh and Pennsylvania State
University have devised a simple method of producing materials that
bend light the "wrong" way -- a significant development as lenses with
minimal distortion can be made from flat slabs of these negatively
refracting materials.

The new study shows that rather than creating complex and costly
microelectronic devices, negatively refracting materials can instead
be produced by simply blending two granular substances together. Neither
of the two granular substances can refract negatively by itself; however,
the study predicts that a homogeneous mixture of these two substances can
refract negatively, provided the relative properties and proportions of
the substances are chosen appropriately.

For more information, visit: http://link.abpi.net/l.php?

============================================================

Bending Light the ?Wrong? Way

A new study from the University of Edinburgh and Pennsylvania State
University suggests a solution to one of the biggest challenges facing the
optics and electromagnetics sector - how to produce near-perfect lenses
cheaply.

Researchers have devised a strikingly simple method of producing materials
which bend light the ?wrong? way - a significant development as lenses with
minimal distortion can be made from flat slabs of these
negatively-refracting materials. In technological fields where lenses are
key components, such as telecommunications, microwave engineering and
optical engineering, negatively-refracting materials which can be cheaply
produced are expected to have a revolutionary impact.

Although scientists have sought to minimize lens distortion for centuries,
it is only within the past five years that the production of near-perfect
lenses has become a realistic possibility. Progress has been made possible
with the recent creation of negatively-refracting materials which enable
rays of light, passing from one material to another, to bend in the opposite
direction to that described in conventional physics textbooks.

However, these negatively-refracting materials are difficult and costly to
produce, as they involve complex assemblies of intricately-shaped conducting
components embossed on non-conducting platforms. A study by Dr Tom Mackay,
of the University of Edinburgh, and Professor Akhlesh Lakhtakia, of
Pennsylvania State University, suggests a much simpler method of
construction.

The new study, reported in Microwave and Optical Technology Letters, shows
that rather than creating complex and costly microelectronic devices,
negatively-refracting materials can instead be produced by simply blending
two granular substances together. Neither of the two granular substances can
refract negatively by itself. However, the study predicts that a homogeneous
mixture of these two substances can refract negatively, provided the
relative properties and proportions of the substances are chosen
appropriately.

Dr Tom Mackay, of the University of Edinburgh's School of Mathematics, said:
?Through its simplicity, this method represents an exciting breakthrough for
inexpensive exploitation of negative refraction technologies. The prospects
for near-perfect lenses, and beyond, brings dreams a step closer to
reality.?

===========================================================














.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: New lenses have high chromatic aberation Ugh!
    ... >> The coating was getting scratched so I ordered new lenses. ... What is the index and Abbe ... Polycarb has the lowest abbe value ... > Hoya, like other manufacturers, have lenses in many different materials, ...
    (sci.med.vision)
  • Re: Different types of plastic 1.6?
    ... Robert Martellaro wrote: ... a significant change in Rx the lenses ... profit in materials with lower Abbe values. ... but some materials are better than others at similar indexes. ...
    (sci.med.vision)
  • Re: Deteriorating night vision
    ... and i HATE all of the anti-glare lenses i have had, due to the colour that it gives to the lenses, not to mention the finger print problem ... it also has about the worst light distortion of all lenses materials. ... *substance* the lens is made from, ...
    (alt.support.diabetes)
  • Re: Polycarbonate versus High Index Plastic (1.67) lens help!
    ... The frames are a lot smaller, almost a 40% smaller than my old (13 yr ... materials with an Abbe value of at least 36, but in your case, probably because ... The lenses still need to be ... positioned accurately regardless of the lens design. ...
    (sci.med.vision)