Invariant transformation has recently been proved to be a powerful way of manipulating the electromagnetic (EM) waves. It has led to the realization of the first electromagnetic cloaking device in the microwave frequencies [Schurig et al, Science, 314, 977 (2006). ]. Although quantum waves are governed by different dynamic equations from that of EM waves, still, the effective mass and potential in quantum waves play similar roles as the permittivity and permeability in the EM waves. By engineering the effective mass and potential spatially, cloaking for matter waves can be achieved. As a specific example, we show that the matter wave cloaking can be realized in a cold atom system using a carefully designed concentric optical lattice, in combination with an external magnetic potential. For details, please see: S Zhang et al, Phys. Rev. Lett. 100, 123002 (2008).view pdf

Schematic of cold atoms being steered around an object by a concentric optical lattice