Single-negative Slab Research Articles

Superlens coupling to object and image: A secondary resonance mechanism to improve single-negative imaging of electromagnetic waves

Superlens slabs rely on the coherent superposition of multiply reflected evanescent waves to amplify and restore the fine details of an object at the image plane. If a superlens slab is placed in close proximity to a source object and image detector, similar interactions with these external components can introduce resonances outside of the superlens. In this work, we explore the role of external resonances on single-negative slab superlens performance by considering a complete electromagnetic imaging system containing a physical source object and image detector, each modeled as a planar dielectric half-space. In studying the transmission of spectral components that carry real power through this system, we find that resonances outside the lens can have a dramatic impact on single-negative superlens performance. In particular, we find that the resonances external to a μ-negative lens can be used to extend the imaging range beyond the extreme near field and maintain super-resolution even in the presence of loss.

Electromagnetic funneling through a single-negative slab paired with a double-positive transformation slab

Purpose – The work is aimed at studying the electromagnetic interaction between a homogeneous, isotropic single-negative (SNG) slab and an inhomogeneous, anisotropic double-positive (DPS) slab. Design/methodology/approach – The approach is based on the transformation optics framework, which allows systematic design and modelling of anisotropic, inhomogeneous metamaterials with inherent field-manipulation capabilities. Findings – The paper finds that a transformation-optics-based DPS slab can compensate the inherent opaqueness to the electromagnetic radiation of a SNG slab. Here, “compensation” means that the resulting bi-layer may give rise to zero-reflection for a normally-incident plane wave at a given frequency. Such phenomenon is inherently accompanied by (de)funneling effects for collimated-beam illumination, and it turns out to be quite robust to material losses as well as geometrical and constitutive-parameter truncation. Originality/value – The results provide further evidence and insight in how SNG-like responses may be emulated (within narrow parametric ranges) by suitably-engineered spatial inhomogeneity and anisotropy in DPS media. Moreover, they also show that resonant transmission phenomena through SNG materials may be engineered via the powerful framework of transformation optics.

Electromagnetic tunneling of obliquely incident waves through a single-negative slab paired with a double-positive uniaxial slab

We show that, under appropriate oblique-incidence and polarization conditions, the inherent opaqueness of a homogeneous, isotropic single-negative slab may be perfectly compensated (in the ideal lossless case) by a homogenous, anisotropic (uniaxial) double-positive slab, so that complete tunneling (with total transmission and zero phase delay) occurs. We present an analytical and numerical study aimed at deriving the basic design rules, elucidating the underlying physical mechanisms, and exploring the role of the various involved parameters.

Electromagnetic tunneling through a single-negative slab paired with a double-positive bilayer

We show that resonant tunneling of electromagnetic fields can occur through a three-layer structure composed of a single-negative (i.e., either negative permittivity or negative permeability) slab paired with a bilayer made of double-positive (i.e., positive permittivity and permeability) media. In particular, one of the two double-positive media can be chosen arbitrarily (even vacuum), while the other may exhibit extreme (either near-zero or very high) permittivity and permeability values. Our results on this counterintuitive tunneling phenomenon also demonstrate the possibility of synthesizing double-positive slabs that effectively exhibit single-negative-like wave-impedance properties within a moderately wide frequency range.

TE Volume Modes in Anisotropic Single-Negative Slab with Negative Component in Permeability Tensor

Existence of backward TE volume modes which are to be identified as Magnetostatic Wave (MSW) in anisotropic single-negative slab with partly negative permeability tensor component have already been revealed by present authors. In this paper, detailed modal analysis has been carried out for this kind of TE volume modes to find out their novel and peculiar properties. From these numerical results, it has been clarified that dispersion curve of the lowest order mode for thicker slab has a frequency of turning point below which both forward and backward waves can be simultaneously observed and also there is a critical slab thickness for each order of TE volume modes to exist.

Modal Analysis of Finite-Thickness Slab with Single-Negative Tensor Material Parameters

Eigenvalue equations and expressions of EM fields for volume modes in an anisotropic single-negative slab with tensor material parameters is presented. By the comparison with the eigenvalue equation of surface modes along single-negative slab with negative scalar permeability, the validity of the present study is confirmed. We have also made clear which elements of the material parameter tensors affect existence of TE and TM modes in the slab. Taking the dispersion of material parameters into consideration, we demonstrate in detail that TE modes propagate in a slab with one negative element of the permeability tensor numerically. These TE modes turn out to be the magnetostatic waves (MSWs), which is the first demonstration of the MSW in a nonmagnetic material.