Scientists have found a way to make solid objects "invisible" in an odd way, by allowing light waves to pass through solid materials as if they did not exist at all.
The reason why we see things is due to the bounce of light waves that collide with objects when a light source shines on them and the human eye sees them.
Research from TU Wien and Utrecht University has found a specific set of light waves that can penetrate the body.
While it was believed that all light waves have the same properties, research carried out by the two universities proved otherwise.
Professor Stefan Rutter of the Institute of Theoretical Physics at TU Win University said in a statement that "each pattern of light waves changes and deflects in a very specific way when you send it through an unorganized medium."
Difficult implementation
Professor Rutter and Professor Allard Musk at Utrecht University used a layer of opaque zinc oxide powder - randomly arranged nanoparticles - and calculated exactly how the light was scattered by the powder and how it would have scattered if the powder was not opaque.
The researchers found that a certain type of light wave, i.e., static scattered light modes, were recorded on the other side of the powder with a detector, meaning that it penetrated the dark object, albeit slightly weaker than it was when it was initially sent.
Moreover, the researchers found that there is a theoretically unlimited number of light waves.
This means that although difficult to calculate, it can be found.
This new development could be greatly beneficial in developing imaging equipment in biomedical applications.
"One of the aspects that we are very excited about is the fact that the light fields that we found in our work are not limited to the movement of light outside objects only, but also include the movement of light within these objects," Professor Rutter told The Independent.
Professor Rotter added that there is still research to be done, because biological systems are filled with movement, such as blood flow through the body, and this makes it difficult to calculate the patterns needed to pass light through, as measurements must be made more quickly.
For now, the breakthrough could help scientists who want to examine microorganisms, such as cells.
Professor Rutter believes it is only a matter of time before measuring tools become fast enough and cheaper to open up more complex applications.