Numerical analysis of focusing by a metamaterial lens

Abstract

Over the last several years there has been a surge of interest in artificial materials because of their potential to expand the range of electromagnetic properties in materials. The so called metamaterials, also known as left-handed (LHM) or double-negative (DNG) materials with negative permittivity and permeability have attracted growing interest. An important application area is the realization of flat superlenses with imaging properties beyond that of conventional lenses. This work investigates the focusing properties of a lossless planar DNG slab with a relative permittivity and permeability both approaching the value -1. The relation between the imaging quality and the material parameters is examined both analytically and numerically. Results obtained from numerical simulations via the transmission line matrix method are compared to the analytical solution.