Bringing the 'perfect lens' into focus by near-perfect compensation of losses without gain media

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that near-perfect loss compensation in negative index lenses enables imaging beyond the diffraction limit without gain media, using analytical and numerical methods.

Contribution

It introduces a loss compensation scheme for negative index lenses that achieves near-perfect imaging performance without gain media, advancing super-resolution technology.

Findings

Loss compensation improves imaging resolution.

Sub-diffraction-limit imaging achieved.

Analytical and numerical validation of the scheme.

Abstract

In this paper, the optical properties and imaging performance of a non-ideal Pendry's negative index flat lens with a practical value for loss are studied. Analytical calculations of the optical properties of the lens are performed, and those results are used to further study the lens and corresponding imaging system numerically. The plasmon injection scheme for loss compensation in negative index metamaterials is applied to the results from the imaging system, resulting in a perfect reconstruction of a previously unresolved image that demonstrates sub-diffraction-limit resolution.