Metamaterials and metaoptics

Abstract

We discuss the topics of metamaterials—electromagnetic composites off ering simultaneous control of electric and magnetic fi elds through structuring on a fi ne scale compared with the wavelength of light—and metaoptics, including striking optical eff ects achieved using metamaterial-based systems such as backward wave propagation and negative refraction. We survey fabrication methods and past achievements for systems working at long wavelengths and near-visible wavelengths, with emphasis on the recent development of this fi eld in Australia. We select several striking conceptual and technological advances made in this rapidly developing fi eld, such as cloaking, nonlinear metamaterials and drawable fi ber-based metamaterials.