Fractal plasmonic metamaterials for subwavelength imaging

TL;DR

This paper introduces a fractal-shaped plasmonic metamaterial that enables subwavelength imaging by supporting surface plasmons across all dimensions, demonstrated through microwave experiments and simulations for infrared applications.

Contribution

It presents a novel fractal-based design for plasmonic metamaterials that achieves subwavelength focusing and imaging capabilities across multiple frequencies.

Findings

Supports both TE and TM surface plasmons

Achieves subwavelength resolution in microwave experiments

Potential for infrared imaging with proper design

Abstract

We show that a metallic plate with fractal-shaped slits can be homogenitized as a plasmonic metamaterial with plasmon frequency dictated by the fractal geometry. Owing to the all-dimensional subwavelength nature of the fractal pattern, our system supports both transverse-electric and transverse-magnetic surface plasmons. As a result, this structure can be employed to focus light sources with all-dimensional subwavelength resolutions and enhanced field strengths. Microwave experiments reveal that the best achievable resolution is only, and simulations demonstrate that similar effects can be realized at infrared frequencies with appropriate designs.