Prof. Martin W. McCall Profile

Prof. Martin W. McCall

Professor of Theoretical Optics at Imperial College London

SPIE Involvement:

Conference Program Committee | Author | Editor

Publications (21)

Proceedings Article | 24 May 2022 Presentation

A new kind of Bragg phenomenon accessed through metadesign

Martin McCall

Proceedings Volume PC12130, PC121300B (2022) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2621300

KEYWORDS: Polarization, Optical activity, Active optics, Refractive index, Optoelectronics, Metals, Light wave propagation, Geometrical optics, Terahertz radiation, Superposition

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I identify a fundamentally new type of Bragg phenomenon, one that occurs in a uniform medium that relies on resonant tuning of the medium parameters, rather than coherent superposition of reflections of monochromatic light from a periodic structure. Since the medium is uniform, reflection occurs over a potentially wide range of wavelengths, much like a metal. Unlike a metal, however, the reflection is polarization dependant: one circular polarization is transmitted, whilst the opposite polarization is reflected. The basis of this remarkable phenomenon is a uniform medium that is simultaneously birefringent and optically active. Solving for the eignmodes for light propagating in the medium, it is found that a resonance occurs when the optical activity is matched to the average transverse refractive index. When this matching occurs, the index associated with one circular polarization is purely imaginary, resulting in it being completely reflected when incident from vacuum. The opposite polarization is, by contrast, transmitted. The ‘bandwidth’ of the resonance is set by the birefringence. Heuristically, one circular polarization progressively, and synchronously, samples the alternating transverse refractive indices as it propagates. It is this alternation that makes the light ‘feel’ a Bragg grating, while the medium remains uniform, an interpretation that has been confirmed by a coupled wave analysis. The resonance condition requires a huge optical activity: a full polarization rotation over a wavelength. This is precisely the condition that triggers the onset of negative refraction in a purely optically active medium, and one that has been observed recently in meta-media at THz frequencies. The medium can provide a low-loss white-light polarization divider. Furthermore, modulation of the medium parameters results in an efficient wide-band polarization switch. We believe that the identified mechanism has wide application in optics and optoelectronics. The proposed medium is hereby christened ‘bire-active’.

Proceedings Article | 23 May 2018 Open Access

Novel perspectives on transformation optics (Conference Presentation)

Martin McCall

Proceedings Volume 10671, 106710G (2018) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2307156

KEYWORDS: Interfaces, Electromagnetism, Optical design, Polarization, Lead, Geometrical optics

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Proceedings Article | 26 July 2016 Presentation

Transformation optics, curvature and beyond (Conference Presentation)

Martin McCall

Proceedings Volume 9883, 98830Q (2016) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2230678

KEYWORDS: Maxwell's equations, Current controlled current source, Electromagnetism, Metamaterials, Acoustics, Physics, Diffusion

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Although the transformation algorithm is very well established and implemented, some intriguing questions remain unanswered. 1) In what precise mathematical sense is the transformation optics algorithm ‘exact’? The invariance of Maxwell’s equations is well understood, but in what sense does the same principle not apply to acoustics (say)? 2) Even if the fields are transformed in a way that apparently mimic vacuum perfectly, it is easy to construct very simple examples where the impedance of the transformed medium is no longer isotropic and homogeneous. This would seem to imply a fundamental shortcoming in any claim that electromagnetic cloaking has been reduced to technology. 3) Transformations are known to exist that introduce a discrepancy between the Poynting vector and the wave-vector. Does this distinction carry any physical significance? We have worked extensively on understanding a commonality between transformation theories that operates at the level of rays – being interpreted as geodesics of an appropriate manifold. At this level we now understand that the *key* problem underlying all attempts to unify the transformational approach to disparate areas of physics is how to relate the transformation of the base metric (be it Euclidean for spatial transformation optics, or Minkowskian for spacetime transformation optics) to the medium parameters of a given physical domain (e.g. constitutive parameters for electromagnetism, bulk modulus and mass density for acoustics, diffusion constant and number density for diffusion physics). Another misconception we will seek to address is the notion of the relationship between transformation optics and curvature. Many have indicated that transformation optics evinces similarities with Einstein’s curvature of spacetime. Here we will show emphatically that transformation optics cannot induce curvature. Inducing curvature in an electromagnetic medium requires the equivalent of a gravitational source. We will propose a scheme that achieves this.

Proceedings Article | 12 September 2011 Paper

Integrated metaphotonics

A. Boardman, P. Egan, R. Mitchell-Thomas, M. McCall, Y. Rapoport

Proceedings Volume 8095, 80951B (2011) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.891886

KEYWORDS: Metamaterials, Solitons, Waveguides, Magnetism, Diffraction, Raman scattering, Nonlinear optics, Integrated optics, Cladding, Wave propagation

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Proceedings Article | 10 September 2011 Paper

All kinds of cloaks, all kinds of transformations

Martin McCall, Paul Kinsler, Alberto Favaro

Proceedings Volume 8093, 80930W (2011) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.896636

KEYWORDS: Acoustics, Electromagnetism, Physics, Maxwell's equations, Metamaterials, Mechanics, Radon, Diffusion, Dielectrics, Wave propagation

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Proceedings Article | 7 September 2011 Paper

Nonlinear waves in metamaterials: state of the art

A. Boardman, P. Egan, R. Mitchell-Thomas, M. McCall, Y. Rapoport

Proceedings Volume 8093, 809303 (2011) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.892463

KEYWORDS: Metamaterials, Solitons, Waveguides, Diffraction, Nonlinear optics, Dielectrics, Wave propagation, Spatial solitons, Radio propagation, Nonlinear metamaterials

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SPIE Press Book | 29 December 2009

Tutorials in Complex Photonic Media

KEYWORDS: Random lasers, Magnetism, Dielectrics, Photonic crystals, Scattering, Electrons, Metamaterials, Chromophores, Absorption, Laser scattering

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Proceedings Article | 2 September 2009 Paper

What is negative refraction?

Martin McCall, Paul Kinsler, Alberto Favaro, Dan Censor

Proceedings Volume 7392, 73921M (2009) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.827472

KEYWORDS: Phase velocity, Electromagnetism, Negative refraction, Radio propagation, Refractive index, Wave propagation, Principle of relativity, Physics, Metamaterials, Medium wave

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Proceedings Article | 21 August 2009 Paper

Polarization properties of nano-structured thin films in reflection and transmission: a new theorem on polarized light

Martin McCall, Carl Paterson, Ian Hodgkinson

Proceedings Volume 7404, 740404 (2009) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.827414

KEYWORDS: Reflection, Polarization, Optical spheres, Thin films, Light scattering, Titanium, Oxides, Dielectric polarization, Optical components, Interfaces

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Proceedings Article | 4 September 2008 Paper

Negative refraction and covariance: the perils of P • k < 0

Martin McCall

Proceedings Volume 7029, 70290Y (2008) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.796495

KEYWORDS: Radio propagation, Electromagnetism, Wave propagation, Negative refraction, Phase velocity, Metamaterials, Particles, Principle of relativity, Single photon, Interfaces

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Proceedings Article | 14 September 2006 Paper

Novel perspectives on low-frequency scattering

Martin McCall, George Venkov, Dan Censor

Proceedings Volume 6320, 63200W (2006) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.684220

KEYWORDS: Scattering, Electromagnetic scattering, Magnetism, Acoustics, Wave propagation, Physics, Electromagnetic radiation, Prototyping, Electromagnetic scattering theory, Radio propagation

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Proceedings Article | 16 September 2005 Paper

Electromagnetic analysis of complex media via helical coordinates

Martin McCall

Proceedings Volume 5924, 59240M (2005) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.619418

KEYWORDS: Electromagnetism, Dielectrics, Optical activity, Single crystal X-ray diffraction, Dielectric polarization, Maxwell's equations, Analytical research, Physics, Medicine, Roads

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Proceedings Article | 2 August 2004 Paper

Combination morphologies in sculptured thin films

Martin McCall

Proceedings Volume 5508, (2004) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.559625

KEYWORDS: Dielectrics, Dielectric polarization, Thin films, Lawrencium, Modulation, Linear filtering, Photon polarization, Dielectric filters, Liquid crystals, Wave propagation

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Proceedings Article | 2 August 2004 Paper

Strong coupling of a surface grating to a structurally chiral volume grating

James McIlroy, Martin McCall, Akhlesh Lakhtakia, Ian Hodgkinson

Proceedings Volume 5508, (2004) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.559609

KEYWORDS: Bromine, Wave plates, Dielectrics, Surface plasmons, Lawrencium, Scattering, Picosecond phenomena, Dielectric polarization, Reflectivity, Light scattering

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Proceedings Article | 16 October 2003 Paper

Use of the single-wavelength approximation in radiometric diffraction loss calculations

Philip Edwards, Martin McCall, Eric Usadi

Proceedings Volume 5189, (2003) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.509464

KEYWORDS: Diffraction, Black bodies, Sensors, Radiometry, Temperature metrology, Roads, Near field diffraction, Tolerancing, Geometrical optics, Far-field diffraction

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Proceedings Article | 9 July 2003 Paper

Propagation paths in axial propagation in chiral sculptured thin films

Martin McCall

Proceedings Volume 5218, (2003) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.505638

KEYWORDS: Radio propagation, Dielectrics, Thin films, Refractive index, Interfaces, Lawrencium, Wave propagation, Reflection, Dielectric polarization, Reflectivity

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Proceedings Article | 24 June 2002 Paper

Volume and suface gratings combined

Martin McCall, Akhlesh Lakhtakia

Proceedings Volume 4806, (2002) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.472977

KEYWORDS: Dielectrics, Bromine, Composites, Interfaces, Wave propagation, Reflection, Lawrencium, Radio propagation, Electromagnetic radiation, Free space

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Proceedings Article | 24 June 2002 Paper

On mediums with negative phase velocity: a brief overview

Akhlesh Lakhtakia, Martin McCall, Werner Weiglhofer, Jaline Gerardin, Jianwei Wang

Proceedings Volume 4806, (2002) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.473003

KEYWORDS: Phase velocity, Composites, Lenses, Homogenization, Dielectrics, Metamaterials, Magnetism, Refraction, Electromagnetism, Radio propagation

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Proceedings Article | 9 July 2001 Paper

Sculptured-thin-film optoelectronics

Martin McCall

Proceedings Volume 4467, (2001) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.432923

KEYWORDS: Polarization, Dielectric polarization, Thin films, Optoelectronics, Reflectivity, Reflection, Lawrencium, Active optics, Radio propagation, Bromine

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Proceedings Article | 30 June 2000 Paper

Optical/optoelectronic applications of periodically nonhomogeneous materials

Martin McCall

Proceedings Volume 4097, (2000) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.390580

KEYWORDS: Polarization, Optical filters, Reflectivity, Thin films, Optoelectronics, Dielectric polarization, Telecommunications, Wave propagation, Bromine, Fiber Bragg gratings

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Proceedings Article | 6 July 1994 Paper

Fast-time dynamics of a coupled laser system: the Ginzburg-Landau equation

Ziping Jiang, Martin McCall

Proceedings Volume 2099, (1994) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.179645

KEYWORDS: Laser systems engineering, Ions, Laser stabilization, Systems modeling, Turbulence, Chlorine, Analytical research, Picosecond phenomena, Carrier dynamics, Instrument modeling

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Showing 5 of 21 publications

Proceedings Volume Editor (5)

SPIE Conference Volume | 30 August 2006

Complex Photonic Media

SPIE Conference Volume | 24 August 2005

Complex Mediums VI: Light and Complexity

SPIE Conference Volume | 2 August 2004

Complex Mediums V: Light and Complexity

SPIE Conference Volume | 9 July 2003

Complex Mediums IV: Beyond Linear Isotropic Dielectrics

SPIE Conference Volume | 24 June 2002

Complex Mediums III: Beyond Linear Isotropic Dielectrics

Conference Committee Involvement (20)

Metamaterials XIV

7 April 2024 | Strasbourg, France

Metamaterials XIII

4 April 2022 | Strasbourg, France

Metamaterials XII

7 April 2020 | Online Only, France

Metamaterials

23 April 2018 | Strasbourg, France

Metamaterials, Metadevices, and Metasystems 2017

6 August 2017 | San Diego, California, United States

Metamaterials, Metadevices, and Metasystems 2016

28 August 2016 | San Diego, California, United States

Metamaterials, Metadevices, and Metasystems 2015

9 August 2015 | San Diego, California, United States

Metamaterials, Metadevices, and Metasystems 2014

17 August 2014 | San Diego, California, United States

Metamaterials: Fundamentals and Applications VI

25 August 2013 | San Diego, California, United States

Metamaterials: Fundamentals and Applications V

12 August 2012 | San Diego, California, United States

Metamaterials: Fundamentals and Applications IV

21 August 2011 | San Diego, California, United States

Metamaterials: Fundamentals and Applications III

1 August 2010 | San Diego, California, United States

Metamaterials: Fundamentals and Applications II

2 August 2009 | San Diego, California, United States

Metamaterials: Fundamentals and Applications

10 August 2008 | San Diego, California, United States

Photonic Metamaterials

26 August 2007 | San Diego, California, United States

Complex Photonic Media

13 August 2006 | San Diego, California, United States

Complex Mediums VI: Light and Complexity

31 July 2005 | San Diego, California, United States

Complex Mediums V: Light and Complexity

4 August 2004 | Denver, Colorado, United States

Complex Mediums IV: Beyond Linear Isotropic Dielectrics

4 August 2003 | San Diego, California, United States

Complex Mediums III: Beyond Linear Isotropic Dielectrics

8 July 2002 | Seattle, WA, United States

Showing 5 of 20 Conference Committees

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