Reply to the Comment on "A self-assembled three-dimensional cloak in the visible" in Scientific Reports 3, 2328

Abstract

In a recent comment arxiv:1310.1503 Miller et al. noted that a cloak we previously presented (Scientific Reports 3, 2328) that exploits a scattering cancellation technique to render an optically small dielectric particle invisible suffers from increased extinction. According to Miller et al. this disqualifies the terminology of a cloak. We concur with the crux of the comment but wish to stress that we never claimed nor suggested a reduction in extinction. A scattering cancellation cloak cancels scattering. The issue, therefore, seems to be whether the structure should be called a cloak or not. We understand a cloaked object as an object that is not perceived by an external observer. We argue that optically small particles are much easier seen in a scattering configuration whereas it is difficult to perceive them in extinction; providing justification to the terminology as used.