Nanotechnology Now

Our NanoNews Digest Sponsors
Heifer International



Home > Press > Topological transitions in metamaterials

Abstract:
The ability to control the flow of electrons using engineered materials is fundamental to the information technology revolution, yet many properties of matter are still unclear. Now a University of Alberta researcher is closer to understanding some of the exotic electronic properties in matter using optical analogues.

Topological transitions in metamaterials

Edmonton, Canada | Posted on April 14th, 2012

U of A electrical engineering researcher Zubin Jacob is the co-lead author on a study of the behaviour of photons flowing through metamaterials designed to emulate exotic electronic processes. Metamaterials are man-made nano materials, which can be used in applications as varied as future information networks, imaging and energy harvesting.

Jacob says think of metamaterials as an artificial medium that can control light. In order to control and use light in future optical circuitry, researchers need something as basic as an on-off switch for light-matter interaction. This research shows abrupt changes in the properties of an artificial medium imprints itself on light.

Zubin says we are five to 10 years away from the commercial application of such metamaterial based light-matter interaction control. One area of science that metamaterials can change on a shorter term is microscope technology. The ability of metamaterials to compress the size of light will enhance the power of microscopes to nanoscopes that are able to reveal nanofeatures to the human eye.

The research team comes from the U of A, Purdue University as well as the Queens and City colleges of the City University of New York.

The research was published April 13 in the journal Science.

####

For more information, please click here

Contacts:
Brian Murphy

780-492-6041

Copyright © University of Alberta

If you have a comment, please Contact us.

Issuers of news releases, not 7th Wave, Inc. or Nanotechnology Now, are solely responsible for the accuracy of the content.

Bookmark:
Delicious Digg Newsvine Google Yahoo Reddit Magnoliacom Furl Facebook

Related News Press

News and information

Researchers demonstrates substrate design principles for scalable superconducting quantum materials: NYU Tandon–Brookhaven National Laboratory study shows that crystalline hafnium oxide substrates offer guidelines for stabilizing the superconducting phase October 3rd, 2025

Researchers develop molecular qubits that communicate at telecom frequencies October 3rd, 2025

Next-generation quantum communication October 3rd, 2025

"Nanoreactor" cage uses visible light for catalytic and ultra-selective cross-cycloadditions October 3rd, 2025

Chip Technology

Researchers demonstrates substrate design principles for scalable superconducting quantum materials: NYU Tandon–Brookhaven National Laboratory study shows that crystalline hafnium oxide substrates offer guidelines for stabilizing the superconducting phase October 3rd, 2025

Lab to industry: InSe wafer-scale breakthrough for future electronics August 8th, 2025

A 1960s idea inspires NBI researchers to study hitherto inaccessible quantum states June 6th, 2025

Programmable electron-induced color router array May 14th, 2025

Optical computing/Photonic computing

ICFO researchers overcome long-standing bottleneck in single photon detection with twisted 2D materials August 8th, 2025

Programmable electron-induced color router array May 14th, 2025

Nanophotonic platform boosts efficiency of nonlinear-optical quantum teleportation April 25th, 2025

Groundbreaking research unveils unified theory for optical singularities in photonic microstructures December 13th, 2024

Discoveries

Breaking barriers in energy-harvesting using quantum physics: Researchers find a way to overcome conventional thermodynamic limits when converting waste heat into electricity October 3rd, 2025

Researchers develop molecular qubits that communicate at telecom frequencies October 3rd, 2025

Next-generation quantum communication October 3rd, 2025

"Nanoreactor" cage uses visible light for catalytic and ultra-selective cross-cycloadditions October 3rd, 2025

Materials/Metamaterials/Magnetoresistance

First real-time observation of two-dimensional melting process: Researchers at Mainz University unveil new insights into magnetic vortex structures August 8th, 2025

Researchers unveil a groundbreaking clay-based solution to capture carbon dioxide and combat climate change June 6th, 2025

A 1960s idea inspires NBI researchers to study hitherto inaccessible quantum states June 6th, 2025

Institute for Nanoscience hosts annual proposal planning meeting May 16th, 2025

Announcements

Rice membrane extracts lithium from brines with greater speed, less waste October 3rd, 2025

Researchers develop molecular qubits that communicate at telecom frequencies October 3rd, 2025

Next-generation quantum communication October 3rd, 2025

"Nanoreactor" cage uses visible light for catalytic and ultra-selective cross-cycloadditions October 3rd, 2025

Energy

Hanbat National University researchers present new technique to boost solid oxide fuel cell performance: Researchers demonstrate cobalt exsolution in solid oxide fuel cell cathodes in oxidizing atmospheres, presenting a new direction for fuel cell research October 3rd, 2025

Sensors innovations for smart lithium-based batteries: advancements, opportunities, and potential challenges August 8th, 2025

Simple algorithm paired with standard imaging tool could predict failure in lithium metal batteries August 8th, 2025

Portable Raman analyzer detects hydrogen leaks from a distance: Device senses tiny concentration changes of hydrogen in ambient air, offering a dependable way to detect and locate leaks in pipelines and industrial systems April 25th, 2025

Photonics/Optics/Lasers

ICFO researchers overcome long-standing bottleneck in single photon detection with twisted 2D materials August 8th, 2025

INRS and ELI deepen strategic partnership to train the next generation in laser science:PhD students will benefit from international mobility and privileged access to cutting-edge infrastructure June 6th, 2025

Institute for Nanoscience hosts annual proposal planning meeting May 16th, 2025

Following the folds – with quantum technology: The connection between a crumpled sheet of paper and quantum technology: A research team at the EPFL in Lausanne (Switzerland) and the University of Konstanz (Germany) uses topology in microwave photonics to make improved systems of May 16th, 2025

Research partnerships

Lab to industry: InSe wafer-scale breakthrough for future electronics August 8th, 2025

INRS and ELI deepen strategic partnership to train the next generation in laser science:PhD students will benefit from international mobility and privileged access to cutting-edge infrastructure June 6th, 2025

Superconductors: Amazingly orderly disorder: A surprising effect was discovered through a collaborative effort by researchers from TU Wien and institutions in Croatia, France, Poland, Singapore, Switzerland, and the US during the investigation of a special material: the atoms are May 14th, 2025

HKU physicists uncover hidden order in the quantum world through deconfined quantum critical points April 25th, 2025

NanoNews-Digest
The latest news from around the world, FREE




  Premium Products
NanoNews-Custom
Only the news you want to read!
 Learn More
NanoStrategies
Full-service, expert consulting
 Learn More











ASP
Nanotechnology Now Featured Books




NNN

The Hunger Project