The legacy of two giants: In memory of Ben Munk and Walter Rotman

This paper will review the work of the late Prof. Emeritus Benedikt Munk of the Electromagnetic Science Laboratory of Ohio State University and its relationship with the papers of my father, Walter Rotman of AFRL/Lincoln Laboratires. Walter Rotman has been quoted extensively as the one of the first to work with negative dielectric constants. However, a careful examination of his papers shows that he was extremely cautious as their usage especially when simulated by periodic structures. Prof. Munk had an approach similar to my father where physical intuition was utilized before writing down the mathematical equations. The connection between my father´s papers and Prof. Munk´s work on metamaterials as described in his new book led to a wonderful personal friendship and the opportunity for me to have with him many illuminating scientific conversations during the time period where he wrote his last book. These conversations led to a more in depth appreciation of my father´s work.