Title: Cloaking and Transformation Optics
Abstract:
We describe recent theoretical and experimental progress on making objects
invisible to detection by electromagnetic waves, acoustic waves and quantum
waves. Maxwell's equations have transformation laws that allow for design of
electromagnetic materials that steer light around a hidden region, returning it
to its original path on the far side. Not only would observers be unaware of the
contents of the hidden region, they would not even be aware that something was
being hidden. The object, which would have no shadow, is said to be cloaked. We
recount the recent history of the subject and discuss some of the mathematical
issues involved.