Subwavelength imaging enhancement through a three-dimensional plasmon superlens with rough surface

Abstract

In this Letter we investigate the subwavelength imaging of a three-dimensional plasmon superlens based on the full vector wave simulations of optical wave propagation and transmission. The optical transfer functions are computed. Comparisons are made between the results of lenses with flat and periodic/random rough surfaces. We also study the problem of practical imaging system geometry using laser as an illumination source. Results show that the lens with periodic or random roughness can reduce the field interference effects, and provide improved focus on the transmission field and the Poynting flux. We illustrate that the subwavelength roughness in a plasmon lens can enhance the image resolution over a flat lens for both matched and unmatched permittivity conditions. The enhancement of resolution occurs because the introduced subwavelength roughness can amplify the evanescent wave components and suppress the surface plasmon resonance peaks.