Negative Index of Refraction Created

FortKnox writes "Scientists studying how a new composite material reacts with microwaves have found that the waves refract in a way the defies a law of physics. The physical formula states that the wave will refract a specific way, but passing through this new material, the wave bends in the exact opposite direction. Scientists believe this is the first demonstration of a negative index of refraction." I haven't been able to find a more scientific report about this - if you find a link, please post the link below.

Comments

Negative indexes are so old they seem new

[Doctor K]

Having just completed a Ph.D. in this field I can say with some certainty that negative indexes of refraction are not new.

The relative dielectric constant of a plasma (cold, unmagnitized, above the ion plasma frequency) is:

1 - wp^2 / w^2

where w is the frequency and wp is the plasma frequency. Below the electron plasma frequency, the dielectric constant of a plasma is negative. (Actually, part of my thesis addes terms to handle electron pressure and density gradient effects.)

Hell, Rayleigh (think 1900s) was using such treatments to calculate resonance frequencies for things like the sun (wp/sqrt(3) by the way).

What was somewhat new about the research referred to is they simultaneously created negative dielectric constant and a negative magnetic permeability.

However, the techniques they used to do so have been around since the 1950s and form the basis of all sorts of electron devices like traveling wave tubes (a staple of satellite communication).

Kevin

Links, etc

[Alien54]

Looks like the discovery happened last year, but has only now been formally published

• Sheldon Schultz Quick Bio
• Research Group Page
• UsCD Press Release
• Nature Summary
• Space Daily summary - Excellent!

Check out the Vinny the Vampire comic strip

I know the feeling

[Slashdot Cruiser]

One time, we were driving to a nearby mall. Two maps said that Bent Tree Drive made a sharp left curve. We're tooling along, looking for the sharp left curve so we know there's only two more miles to go.

Well wouldn't you know it? Bent Tree Drive has been under construction for a month. The sharp left curve is now a sharp right curve, followed by two sharp left curves.

There's an old saying: "Two wrongs don't make a right, but three rights make a left." It had nothing to do with this.

Anyway, it's a good thing I was behind the wheel paying attention. Had I been expecting the sharp left curve, I would have driven the Cruiser into a lake. Fortunately, I made the right followed by two lefts and we all got to the mall safely.

In my humble opinion, something similar has happened to these scientists. Perhaps the prism was under construction. Maybe they didn't see the tiny detour signs or maybe some kids snuck off with them in the middle of the night. You know in the Road Runner cartoons when Wile E. Coyote turns the sign around? I'll bet that's what happened here.

In fact, I understand the scientists also painted a tunnel on the side of a mountain and the microwaves went right into it. See? That's exactly what I'm talking about. If they're really smart, they'll watch out for the oncoming train. It would be a shame if the train hit them and squashed them flat against the front before they could collect their Nobel prize.