Invisibility Cloak

The search for invisibility technology has been the focus of much scientific research. Studies delving into its mechanics and possibilities have been in motion as early as the 1960s. Ivan Sutherland (Harvard University Professor) made groundbreaking research on the subject of scientific basis of visual invisibility through the technology dubbed as augmented reality.

Augmented Reality and the Science of Invisibility

The concept of augmented reality is the infusion of additional visual stimuli into an experience of time and space. With the aid of visual effects, a person experiencing augmented reality while looking at a person may be fed with the details such as body temperature, X-Y axis location, direction and speed of movement and the like. Turning one's head can show a rendering of a building and its brief history.

In a nutshell, augmented reality is time and space experienced with add-ons generated to be blended as a supplement. There are no known bounds to the variety of inputs possible for the 'enriched' experience.

To understand augmented reality, one should keep in mind the concept of another reality 'alteration' technology – virtual reality. Virtual realities are alternate worlds meant to replace all time and experiences in a simulated environment created by digital stimuli. In this light, augmented reality's distinction is that it maintains reality for the normal experience of human senses while inculcating additional stimuli. This is what makes the illusion of invisibility possible.

Optical Camouflage

The phenomenon of the invisibility cloak is being perfected in the University of Tokyo using a type of augmented reality known as "optical camouflage." The wearer of the cloak appears to blend in with his immediate surroundings and borders into a semi-transparent morphed form with only a light gloss for its silhouette.

This is done by feeding images of the surroundings unto the ultra-reflective surface of the specially designed invisibility cloak. The reflection is caught by the observer's eyes that are tricked into seeing the projections. This makes the person wearing the coat "disappear" and become invisible.

Reflection Types

Another vital concern in augmented reality is light behavior upon reflection unto a surface. Depending on the type of surface, light behaves in particular ways. On a rough surface, reflected light is diffused and this causes diffused reflection. Usually, no image is experienced other than that of the surface itself. A smooth surface creates what is called as a specular reflection. This type results in images projected upon a surface. This image is visible relative to the angle of the viewer to the projection and to the objects in the immediate surroundings. Specular reflection is produced by mirror-like surfaces.

A special type of reflection is produced on 'beaded' surfaces and this is called retro-reflection. Millions of reflective beads produce reflections directed towards the same direction as the source of light. This results in the refraction of light that is bounced back by the beads and create a prism-like effect. At the correct distance and with adequate amount of light, the effect of invisibility is visually achieved.