"Stop it, it’s
not funny! Where are you?" Can you imagine saying this phrase to a friend who is
hiding behind an invisibility cloak? Well, now this possibility is a reality
thanks to a team of scientists
from the Duke University who created a device which doesn't reflect microwaves.
This technology is far from being perfect yet, but the main idea is set and
ready to be developed.
Let’s take
a deeper look into this scientific breakthrough.
"It [the device] split light into two waves which
traveled around an object in the center and re-emerged as the single wave with
minimal loss due to reflections," explained Nathan Landy, a grad student
from the Duke University who worked on the project, on an interview.
Seeing it
from a simpler point of view; the effect that allows the invisibility cloak to
exist is similar to mirages. When an object appears to be reflected as if there
were water under it, the mirage phenomenon is happening. This phenomenon is
caused by light bending. Light bends when it passes from one medium to another.
In both cases, mirages and the invisibility cloak, light bends because of hot
waves.
This
discovery is without question remarkable, but there is a problem that arises
with it. What if this technique is used with military purposes? Do you still
approve this technological development knowing that the
invisibility cloak will probably hide tanks and nuclear weapons?
For further information, watch this video
