Invisibility
layers of silver. The insulator could shepherd the direction of the plasmonic waves, which is a step in the right direction. 27 This technique for producing metamaterials is equally promising, and future progress may be accelerated as it stands to benefit from research in light transistors and photonic crystals. Meanwhile, it is worth mentioning H.G.Wells ’ The Invisible Man, in which the protagonist used the fourth dimension to become invisible. But is there a fourth dimension in reality? From empirical observation, if a fourth dimension were to exist, it would have to exist on a subatomic level. Clearly, we must rely upon theoretical physics to predict its existence. While the idea of a fourth dimension has been ridiculed in the past, in 1919 things changed. Physicist Theodor Kaluza, by modelling Einstein’s Theory of General Relativity in five dimensions, was able to simplify it into two simple equations – one described Einstein’s standard theory of relativity, the other described Maxwell’s theory of light! 28 This suggests that light ripples in the fifth dimension. Meanwhile, the fabled ‘theory of everything’, in the formof string theory, canmathematically only function at 10 dimensions. 29 Thus, it seems as if a fourth dimension could exist. However, using the fourth dimension for invisibility is unfeasible – travelling into another dimension would require vast energies which current technologies cannot generate. 30 Thus, for this century at least, the fourth dimension will continue to be a theoretical physicist ’ s conundrum. Progress in invisibility technology is still in its infancy. Both optical camouflage and metamaterials are promising avenues of research, although both face their own engineering obstacles. Whereas optical camouflage is seeking to downscale its bulky setup, metamaterials face problems with upscaling the technology to hide a greater bandwidth of visible light. Despite these engineering challenges, it is extremely likely that we will have fully functioning invisibility technology within this century. Undoubtedly, military research for this desirable technology will drive progress forward, although invisibility has many applications outside of the military, such as in the medical field. Metamaterials are the most promising avenue of research as research in this field could also help create lenses with flat surfaces and super-resolving microscopes. 31 Invisibility has already been achieved in concept, although it will take decades before invisibility technology can be scaled up to human size.
Bibliography
BASF The Chemical Company (n.d.) Carbonyl Iron Powder . Available at: https://www.dispersions- pigments.basf.com/portal/load/fid827906/CIP_General_PO_e.pdf (Accessed: 14 July 2020) Bhardawaj, A., Samyal, P., Yadav, P. and Ratra, L. (2014), ‘A review of retro reflective technology for optical camouflage applications’, International Journal of Information & Computation Technology, 4(11): 1057-1062 Definition: Diaphragm; Iris Diaphragm; Iris (n.d.) Available at: https://www.photokonnexion.com/definition-iris- diaphragm/ (Accessed: 13 July 2020) Duan, Y.P., Li, G.F., Liu L.D., and Liu, S.H. (2010), ‘Electromagnetic properties of carbonyl iron and their microwave absorbing characterization as filler in silicone rub ber’, Bulletin of Material Science, 33(5): 633- 636.
27 Kaku, M. , p27. 28 Kaku, M. , p233. 29 Kaku, M. , p236. 30 Kaku, M. , p33. 31 TEDx Talks: 02:55.
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