A Superlens Based on Metal-Dielectric Composites

TL;DR

This paper proposes a metal-dielectric composite superlens capable of operating across a wide range of visible and near-infrared wavelengths, overcoming the frequency limitations of traditional bulk metal superlenses.

Contribution

It introduces a novel composite metal-dielectric film design that enables tunable superlensing at various wavelengths, verified through theoretical analysis and simulations.

Findings

Composite film operates at multiple wavelengths

Feasibility confirmed by simulations

Overcomes single-frequency limitation of bulk metal lenses

Abstract

Pure noble metals are typically considered to be the materials of choice for a near-field superlens that allows subwavelength resolution by recovering both propagating and evanescent waves. However, a superlens based on bulk metal can operate only at a single frequency for a given dielectric host. In this Letter, it is shown that a composite metal-dielectric film, with an appropriate metal filling factor, can operate at practically any desired wavelength in the visible and near-infrared ranges. Theoretical analysis and simulations verify the feasibility of the proposed lens.