Superlens in the time domain

TL;DR

This paper proposes that using time-dependent illumination can overcome the resolution limits caused by losses in superlenses based on surface plasmons or phonon polaritons, enhancing imaging capabilities.

Contribution

It introduces a novel approach of time-dependent illumination to surpass the loss-induced resolution limits in superlenses.

Findings

Time-dependent illumination improves superlens resolution.

Losses in superlenses can be mitigated with dynamic illumination.

Enhanced imaging performance demonstrated theoretically.

Abstract

It has been predicted theoretically and demonstrated experimentally that a planar slab supporting surface plasmons or surface phonon polaritons can behave as a super lens. However, the resolution is limited by the losses of the slab. In this letter, we point out that the resolution limit imposed by losses can be overcome by using time-dependent illumination.