Sébastien Guenneau

Experiments on Transformation Thermodynamics: Molding the Flow of Heat

It was recently shown theoretically that the time-dependent heat conduction equation is form invariant under curvilinear coordinate transformations. Thus, in analogy to transformation optics, fictitious transformed space can be mapped onto (meta)materials with spatially inhomogeneous and anisotropic heat-conductivity tensors in the laboratory space. On this basis, we design, fabricate, and characterize a microstructured thermal cloak that molds the flow of heat around an object in a metal plate. This allows for transient protection of the object from heating while maintaining the same downstream heat flow as without object and cloak.

Transformation thermodynamics: cloaking and concentrating heat flux

We adapt tools of transformation optics, governed by a (elliptic) wave equation, to thermodynamics, governed by the (parabolic) heat equation. We apply this new concept to an invibility cloak in order to thermally protect a region (a dead core) and to a concentrator to focus heat flux in a small region. We finally propose a multilayered cloak consisting of 20 homogeneous concentric layers with a piecewise constant isotropic diffusivity working over a finite time interval (homogenization approach).

Achieving control of in-plane elastic waves

We derive the elastic properties of a cylindrical cloak for in-plane coupled shear and pressure waves. The cloak is characterized by a rank 4 elasticity tensor with spatially varying entries, which are deduced from a geometric transform. Remarkably, the Navier equations retain their form under this transform, which is generally untrue [G. W. Milton et al., N. J. Phys. 8, 248 (2006)]. The validity of our approach is confirmed by comparison of the analytic Green’s function in homogeneous isotropic elastic space against full-wave finite element computations in a heterogeneous anisotropic elastic region surrounded by perfectly matched layers.

Electromagnetic analysis of cylindrical invisibility cloaks and the mirage effect

We present a finite-element analysis of a diffraction problem involving a coated cylinder enabling the electromagnetic cloaking of a lossy object with sharp wedges located within its core. The coating consists of a heterogeneous anisotropic material deduced from a geometrical transformation as first proposed by Pendry [Science 312, 1780 (2006)]. We analyze the electromagnetic response of the cloak in the presence of an electric line source in p polarization and a loop of magnetic current in s polarization. We find that the electromagnetic field radiated by such a source located a fraction of a wavelength from the cloak is perturbed by less than 1%. When the source lies in the coating, it seems to radiate from a shifted location.

Foundations of photonic crystal fibres

Photonic Crystals Optical Waveguides Photonic Crystal Fibres (PCF) PCF Materials and Fabrication Finite Element Method Propagation Modes Problems in Dielectric Waveguides The Multipole Method Rayleigh Method Pole Hunting Properties of MOF Twisted Fibres.

Electromagnetic analysis of cylindrical cloaks of an arbitrary cross section

We extend the design of radially symmetric invisibility cloaks through transformation optics as proposed by Pendry et al. [Science 312, 1780 (2006)] to coated cylinders of an arbitrary cross section. The validity of our Fourier-based approach is confirmed by both analytical and numerical results for a cloak displaying a non-convex cross section of varying thickness. In the former case, we evaluate the Greens function of a line source in the transformed coordinates. In the latter case, we implement a full-wave finite-element model for a cylindrical antenna radiating a p-polarized electric field in the presence of a F-shaped lossy object surrounded by the cloak.

Hidden progress: broadband plasmonic invisibility

One of the key challenges in current research into electromagnetic cloaking is to achieve invisibility at optical frequencies and over an extended bandwidth. There has been significant progress towards this using the idea of cloaking by sweeping under the carpet of Li and Pendry. Here, we show that we can harness surface plasmon polaritons at a metal surface structured with a dielectric material to obtain a unique control of their propagation. We exploit this control to demonstrate both theoretically and experimentally cloaking over an unprecedented bandwidth (650-900 nm). Our non-resonant plasmonic metamaterial is designed using transformational optics extended to plasmonics and allows a curved reflector to mimic a flat mirror. Our theoretical predictions are validated by experiments mapping the surface light intensity at a wavelength of 800 nm.

Sonic band gaps in PCF preforms: enhancing the interaction of sound and light

We study the localisation and control of high frequency sound in a dual-core square-lattice photonic crystal fibre preform. The coupled states of two neighboring acoustic resonances are probed using an interferometric set up, and experimental evidence is obtained for odd and even symmetry trapped states. Full numerical solutions of the acoustic wave equation show the existence of a two-dimensional sonic band gap, and numerical modelling of the strain field at the defects gives results that agree well with the experimental observations. The results suggest that sonic band gaps can be used to manipulate sound with great precision and enhance its interaction with light.

Anisotropic conductivity rotates heat fluxes in transient regimes

We present a finite element analysis of a diffusion problem involving a coated cylinder enabling the rotation of heat fluxes. The coating consists of a heterogeneous anisotropic conductivity deduced from a geometric transformation in the time dependent heat equation. In contrast to thermal cloak and concentrator, specific heat and density are not affected by the transformation in the rotator. Therein, thermal flux diffuses from region of lower temperature to higher temperature, leading to an apparent negative conductivity analogous to what was observed in transformed thermostatics. When a conducting object lies inside the rotator, it appears as if rotated by certain angle to an external observer, what can be seen as a thermal illusion. A structured rotator is finally proposed inspired by earlier designs of thermostatic and microwave rotators.

Fick's second law transformed: one path to cloaking in mass diffusion

Here, we adapt the concept of transformational thermodynamics, whereby the flux of temperature is controlled via anisotropic heterogeneous diffusivity, for the diffusion and transport of mass concentration. The n-dimensional, time-dependent, anisotropic heterogeneous Ficks equation is considered, which is a parabolic partial differential equation also applicable to heat diffusion, when convection occurs, for example, in fluids. This theory is illustrated with finite-element computations for a liposome particle surrounded by a cylindrical multi-layered cloak in a water-based environment, and for a spherical multi-layered cloak consisting of layers of fluid with an isotropic homogeneous diffusivity, deduced from an effective medium approach. Initial potential applications could be sought in bioengineering.