Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 3, 2026

Fabricating Metamaterials Using the Fiber Drawing Method
Published on: October 18, 2012
Fresnel drag in space-time-modulated metamaterials
Paloma A Huidobro1, Emanuele Galiffi2, Sébastien Guenneau3,4
1Instituto de Telecomunicações, Insituto Superior Técnico, University of Lisbon, 1049-001 Lisbon, Portugal; p.arroyo-huidobro@lx.it.pt j.pendry@imperial.ac.uk.
Abstract:
A moving medium drags light along with it as measured by Fizeau and explained by Einstein's theory of special relativity. Here we show that the same effect can be obtained in a situation where there is no physical motion of the medium. Modulations of both the permittivity and permeability, phased in space and time in the form of traveling waves, are the basis of our model. Space-time metamaterials are represented by effective bianisotropic parameters, which can in turn be mapped to a moving homogeneous medium. Hence these metamaterials mimic a relativistic effect without the need for any actual material motion. We discuss how both the permittivity and permeability need to be modulated to achieve these effects, and we present an equivalent transmission line model.
Related Concept Videos
Interference and Diffraction
Propagation Speed of Electromagnetic Waves
Magnetic Damping
If, however, the bob is a slotted metal plate, the magnet produces a much smaller effect. When a slotted metal plate enters the field, an emf is induced by the change in flux; however, it is less effective because the slots limit the...
Electromagnetic Waves in Matter
Consider the electromagnetic wave passing through a dielectric medium. In such a case, Maxwell's equations get modified. In Ampere's law, ε0 , the dielectric permittivity of free space is replaced with ε, the permittivity of dielectric. Also, the vacuum permeability μ0 is replaced by the permeability of the medium, μ.
Furthermore,...
Plane Electromagnetic Waves II
Space-Time Curvature and the General Theory of Relativity
This has been verified in many experiments. However, space and time are no longer absolute. Two observers moving relative to one another do not agree on the length of objects or the passage of time. The mechanics of objects based on Newton's laws of...

