Critique of Optical Negative Refraction Superlensing

TL;DR

This paper critically examines the concept of optical negative refraction superlenses, arguing that the silver superlens operates via surface plasmon resonance rather than true negative refraction, challenging the foundational assumptions of the field.

Contribution

It provides a critique of the negative refraction superlens concept, clarifying that the silver superlens's effects are due to surface plasmon resonance, not negative refractive index.

Findings

Surface plasmon resonance explains silver superlens behavior.

Negative refraction is not supported by the observed phenomena.

The concept of negative refraction in optical superlenses is challenged.

Abstract

Has the ten-year old quest for the optical superlens, based on Veselago's hypothesis of negative refraction, been a chimera? We argue that Pendry's alternative prescription of the silver superlens is nothing more than an application of the natural phenomenon of surface plasmon resonance that occurs in the noble metal films. This phenomenon does not predict the reality of Veselago's negative refractive index materials. We give a simple explanation of how this resonance achieves a field intensity enhancement at the interface of silver and air without involving the concept of negative refraction.