Superlens as matching device

TL;DR

This paper explores how a superlens made of material with negative refractive index can focus radiation below the diffraction limit by functioning as a matching device rather than a traditional optical instrument.

Contribution

It demonstrates that a superlens can surpass diffraction limits by acting as a matching device, not relying on geometric optics principles.

Findings

Superlens can focus below wavelength scale.

It operates as a matching device, not a traditional optical instrument.

Diffraction limit does not apply in this configuration.

Abstract

The question is considered about possibility of overcoming diffraction limit at device, named superlens. This device is a flat slab, executed from material with index of refraction n,equal n=-1. It is shown, what this device really can focus the radiation to the spot, smaller than wavelength, but herewith superlens works not as optical instrument, based on the laws of geometric optics, but as certain matching device, for which does not exist diffraction limit. This is possible if thickness of superlens is comparable with wavelength, and distances from superlense to the wave source and to its image are also in order of wavelength.