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Material With Negative Refractive Index Created

Posted by kdawson on from the seeing-right-through-it dept.

holy_calamity writes "The race to build a material with a negative index of refraction for visible light has been won by researchers in Germany. The advance could lead to super-lenses able to see details finer then the wavelength of visible light, or the previously predicted invisibility cloak for visible light." From the article: "[The researcher] determined the refractive index of the material by measuring the 'phase velocity' of light as it passed through. His measurements show the structure has a negative refractive index of -0.6 for light with a wavelength of 780 nm [the far red end of the visible light spectrum]. This value drops to zero at 760 nm and 800 nm, and becomes positive at longer and shorter wavelengths."

8 of 210 comments (clear)

  1. All right! by morgan_greywolf · · Score: 5, Funny

    Nothing to see here. Move along.

    --
    My blog
  2. Re:Negative or less than one? by HotBBQ · · Score: 5, Funny

    We're always looking for ways to make light go faster than C.

    Write it in Java.

  3. Finally... by Druox · · Score: 5, Funny

    An invisibility cloak..

    For the first time, I may have a real shot at seeing real life naked boobies

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  4. Re:Can someone explain a refraction index? by VorpalEdge · · Score: 5, Funny

    If I check another site, I lose my excuse for bashing the poor quality of the article. That's just not an option.

  5. Re:yes, but RTFA, they were not first. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    I actually achieved this a couple of years ago. But the phone rang and I set it down somewhere, and now I can't find it.

  6. Re:Negative or less than one? by elzahir · · Score: 5, Funny

    No, he said _faster_

    --
    For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, for nature cannot be fooled - R Feynman
  7. Re:Why do Germans seem ... by anonymous22 · · Score: 5, Funny

    It's the beer.

    --
    Anyone who runs is V.C. Anyone who stands still is well-disciplined V.C.
    Door Gunner, Full Metal Jacket
  8. Re:Visible spectrum and cones by silentounce · · Score: 5, Funny

    Yes, the "far red end". Finally, I shall have my revenge. There shall be no more red. My fellow color-blind brethren rejoice. No longer will they laugh and point at us. That's not green! You idiot! Idiot? I think not. Our time is now.

    --
    There are many tongues to talk, and but few heads to think. -Victor Hugo