The problem of a perfect lens made of a slab with negative refraction

TL;DR

This paper discusses the theoretical conditions for a perfect lens using negative refraction, confirming the amplification of evanescent waves in virtual focus scenarios and explaining some experimental superlensing results.

Contribution

It clarifies the conditions under which perfect lensing is theoretically possible, especially emphasizing the virtual focus case and its consistency with Pendry's amplification concept.

Findings

Perfect lensing is theoretically feasible with virtual focus.

Evanescent wave amplification is valid in virtual focus scenarios.

Some experimental superlensing results can be explained by the virtual focus theory.

Abstract

The problem of the principal existence of the perfect lens and superlensing is discussed. We have demonstrated that in the case of the virtual focus the idea of perfect lens based upon amplification of evanescent waves as proposed by Pendry is perfectly right unlike the case of the real foci. We think that some experimental results claiming superlensing can be explained in terms of the proposed theory for the case when the virtual focus is inside the lens but very close to the rear face of it.