Diffraction theory and focusing of light by left-handed materials

TL;DR

This paper develops a diffraction theory for systems with left-handed and right-handed materials, analyzing the Veselago lens's focusing properties and clarifying its capabilities and limitations.

Contribution

It introduces a diffraction theory based on Huygens's principle for left-handed materials and applies it to evaluate the Veselago lens's focusing behavior.

Findings

Veselago lens can achieve 3D imaging.

The lens is not a superlens as previously claimed.

Finite wavelength causes smearing of the focus.

Abstract

A diffraction theory in a system consisting of left-handed and right-handed materials is proposed. The theory is based upon the Huygens's principle and the Kirchhoff's integral and it is valid if the wavelength is smaller than any relevant length of the system. The theory is applied to the calculation of the smearing of the foci of the Veselago lens due to the finite wavelength. We show that the Veselago lens is a unique optical instrument for the 3D imaging, but it is not a ``superlens'' as it has been claimed recently.