Invisibility science

How does it work?

The secret of invisibility is the connection between geometry and light. We are used to assuming that light always travels along straight lines, but in fact certain materials can curve light rays, and this can lead to optical illusions.

Invisibility is the ultimate illusion. Here the material of the cloaking device bends light rays around so that anything inside the device is hidden. Moreover, the rays exit the device as if it were not there at all. So not only does the device hide what is inside, but it also hides the fact that something is hidden.

How do scientists do this ? The blueprint for invisibility comes from geometry: as optical materials bend light they appear to transform the geometry of ordinary space. The cloaking device is designed to open a hole in space for light. As light never touches this hole its interior becomes invisible. 

Games and Videos 

This lightbending experiment and videos below demonstrates some of the science displayed at this exhibit. In this experiment light from a laser pointer propagates through an aquarium. Some sugar was put at the bottom of the aquarium (illustrated by the white points). The sugar diffused in the water and changed the refractive index. You can try out what this does to light: it bends light. Move the laser pointer up and down and see.