The Dynamics of Nanoscale Superresolution Imaging With the Superlens

The theoretical foundations of superresolution imaging of nanoscale objects with the Veselago/Pendry Superlens are reviewed from a microwave engineering viewpoint. Insights into the dynamic response of the Superlens, gained from both theoretical and numerical studies, are presented. The results provide new perspectives on the physics of evanescent field transmission and the key factors that limit the resolution of such a lens even in the absence of losses and nonlinearities. The proposed spectral waveguide model greatly simplifies the analysis-both theoretical and numerical-as well as the design of superresolution imaging systems. Full-wave electromagnetic simulations of evanescent wave transmission by the lens, performed with the waveguide model in both time and frequency domains, are validated against theoretical and computational predictions found in the literature.