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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 24, 2026

Measurements of Waves in a Wind-wave Tank Under Steady and Time-varying Wind Forcing

Measurements of Waves in a Wind-wave Tank Under Steady and Time-varying Wind Forcing

Published on: February 13, 2018

Guiding waves through an invisible tunnel.

Jingjing Zhang¹, Yu Luo, Hongsheng Chen

¹The Electromagnetics Academy at Zhejiang University, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, PR China.

|April 15, 2009

Summary

Transformation optics creates an invisible tunnel for guiding waves in open space. This method uses a transformation medium to connect distant waveguide ports, enabling smooth wave transmission.

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Area of Science:

Electromagnetism
Wave physics
Metamaterials

Background:

Guiding waves in open space is challenging.
Transformation optics offers novel wave manipulation possibilities.

Purpose of the Study:

To demonstrate wave guiding in open space using transformation optics.
To present a method for creating an 'invisible tunnel' for wave transmission.

Main Methods:

Utilizing transformation optics principles.
Coating a small waveguide with a transformation medium.
Squeezing the space between two waveguide ports into a small region.
Performing numerical simulations.

Main Results:

A small waveguide coated with transformation medium acts as a large virtual tunnel.
Waves are transmitted and guided smoothly through this invisible tunnel in open space.

Conclusions:

Transformation optics enables effective wave guiding in open space.
The 'invisible tunnel' concept provides a novel approach for long-distance wave transmission.