Accurate modelling of the optical properties of left-handed media using a finite-difference time-domain method

We have demonstrated that the conventional FDTD method for modelling of LHM leads to inaccurate description of high-order evanescent waves and does not simulate subwavelength imaging correctly. The simulations suffer from the artefact of 'numerical surface plasmons' which appear at the interfaces of LHM. In order to solve this problem and ensure accurate FDTD modelling, a spatial averaging scheme at the boundaries has been proposed. This technique has been tested on the analytically solvable example of a plane wave propagation through an infinite LHM slab and extremely good accuracy of simulation has been revealed for all angles of incidence including high-order evanescent waves. The simulations of finite- sized slabs of LHM demonstrate that there are no restrictions on the functionality of LHM lenses due to their finite transverse dimensions.