Zero refractive index meta-materials? Do they affect lens development?

[Stuart Richardson]

I was just reading this article about new materials and how they might revolutionize computing, but it struck me that if it is a material that has no refractive index, it would also have the potential to revolutionize lens design. Of course, I have no idea what I am talking about, but perhaps someone who does could weigh in on this? I guess lens design would require elements with all kinds of refractive indices, but I would imagine that having one that offered no refraction at all might also be useful. Perhaps either as clear glass elements (as in a filter etc), or if they offered some other manipulation of the light, without otherwise changing the refractive index.

Does anyone out there know a bit more about optics and have an idea if this might affect anything?

 

[Vivek]

Stuart, Zero or even negative refractive index materials are being considered (theoretically) for construction of "perfect" lenses.

I am unsure if it would get translated (when developed) to real optics for imaging, especially in the visible light.