Transforming transformation optics via generalised refraction

Oxburgh, Stephen B. (2016) Transforming transformation optics via generalised refraction. PhD thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

Generalised refraction is a topic which has, thus far, garnered far less attention than it deserves. The purpose of this thesis is to highlight the potential that generalised refraction has to offer with regards to imaging and its application to designing new passive optical devices. Specifically in this thesis we will explore two types of gener- alised refraction which takes place across a planar interface: refraction by generalised confocal lenslet arrays (gCLAs), and refraction by ray-rotation sheets. We will show that the corresponding laws of refraction for these interfaces produce, in general, light-ray fields with non-zero curl, and as such do not have a corresponding outgoing waveform. We will then show that gCLAs perform integral, geometrical imaging, and that this enables them to be considered as approximate realisations of metric tensor interfaces. The concept of piecewise transformation optics will be introduced and we will show that it is possible to use gCLAs along with other optical elements such as lenses to design simple piecewise transformation-optics devices such as invisibility cloaks and insulation windows. Finally, we shall show that ray-rotation sheets can be interpreted as performing geometrical imaging into complex space, and that as a consequence, ray-rotation sheets and gCLAs may in fact be more closely related than first realised. We conclude with a summary of potential future projects which lead naturally from the results of this thesis.

• Item Type: Thesis (PhD)
• Qualification Level: Doctoral
• Keywords: Refraction, imaging, transformation optics, cloaking.
• Subjects: Q Science > QC Physics
• Colleges/Schools: College of Science and Engineering > School of Physics and Astronomy
• Funder's Name: Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)
• Supervisor's Name: Courtial, Dr. Johannes
• Date of Award: 2016
• Depositing User: Mr Stephen Oxburgh
• Unique ID: glathesis:2016-7539
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 25 Aug 2016 14:40
• Last Modified: 26 Sep 2016 13:11
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/7539