Objective of the EPFL Latsis Symposium 2005

The phenomenon of negative refraction was postulated over 30 years ago by Victor G. Veselago. The demonstration in 2000 by David R. Smith that a material exhibiting such properties at microwave frequencies could be fabricated has given tremendous momentum to this field of research. The properties of negative refractive index materials are now the subject of numerous investigations at all frequencies, from microwave to optical.

Five years after the demonstration of negative refraction, this symposium will provide a unique opportunity to bring together key scientists from all around the world to exchange ideas and discuss the fascinating physics of negative refraction. Together we will assess the foundations of this new and exciting domain of research and investigate the different paths towards the fabrication and implementation of negative refractive index materials in practical devices.

We are very pleased that key actors in negative refraction have accepted our invitation to Lausanne. The symposium will be organized around their lectures which will cover different aspects of negative refraction; from microwave to optical frequencies, from metamaterial fabrication to measurement, from fundamental physics to practical devices that utilize negative refractive index materials.

Contributed presentations in the form of posters are most welcome. A large amount of time will be devoted to the poster sessions which will be embedded in the conference programme and should provide an extremely fruitful framework for scientific exchanges.

The generous support of the International Latsis Foundation is gratefully acknowledged. It makes a modest registration fee for contributing participants possible.

We are looking forward to welcoming you to Lausanne!

Olivier J.F. Martin and Juan R. Mosig
Institute for Waves, Transmission and Photonics
School of Engineering, EPFL