Imaging properties of finite-size left-handed material slabs

Abstract

Finite-size left-handed material (LHM) slabs are studied both analytically and numerically. The analytical method is based on Huygens' principles using truncated current sheets that cover only the apertures of the slabs. It is shown that the main effects on the images' spectra due to the size of the slabs can be predicted by the proposed analytical method, which can, therefore, be used as a fast alternative to the numerical simulations. Furthermore, the property of negative-energy streams at the image plane is explained. This unique property is found to be due to the interactions between propagating and evanescent waves and can only occur with LHM slabs, both finite size and infinite.