We analyse the optical properties of nano-elements consisting of plasmonic superresolving metamaterials [1,2]. This contribution is focused on layered metal-dielectric prism-shaped structures with layer thickness in the order of 10nm [3].
The effective uniaxial permittivity tensor of the metamaterial contains an extremely large component value in the direction perpendicular to layer surfaces and components that assure impedance matching in the parallel directions. The extreme anisotropy of the metamaterial enables diffraction-free propagation through the device. Moreover, a broad range of spatial frequencies is propagated through the structure resulting in a resolution that overcomes the Rayleigh diffraction limit.
We present rigorous FDTD electromagnetic simulations, assuming a Drude dispersion model for silver and a non-dispersive model for the dielectric. We study beam focusing and coupling efficiency as a function of apex angle [4].
The presented results prove the possibility of using plasmonic prisms for energy focusing in a sub-wavelength-sized region. Other possible application areas range from optical interconnects, novel lithographic elements with improved resolution up to components of optical cloaks.

This work is supported by the Polish research project N N202 033237.

References:
[1] J. Pendry, Negative refraction makes a perfect lens, Phys. Rev.
Lett. 85, 3966, 2000.
[2] P. Belov, Y. Hao, Subwavelength imaging at optical frequencies
using a transmission device formed by a periodic layered metal-dielectric structure operating in the canalization regime," Phys. Rev. B 73, 113110, 2006.
[3] R. Kotyński, T. Stefaniuk, A. Pastuszczak, Optimized low-loss multilayers for imaging with sub-wavelength resolution in the visible wavelength range, App. Phys. A 103, 905, 2011.
[4] M. Stolarek, A. Pastuszczak, R. Kotyński, Sub-wavelength imaging using silver-dielectric metamaterial layered prism, Proc. of 13th Int. Conf. Opt. Networks, IEEE, Stockholm, June 2011, in press.

• Legal notice:
  

  Copyright (c) Pielaszek Research, all rights reserved.
  The above materials, including auxiliary resources, are subject to Publisher's copyright and the Author(s) intellectual rights. Without limiting Author(s) rights under respective Copyright Transfer Agreement, no part of the above documents may be reproduced without the express written permission of Pielaszek Research, the Publisher. Express permission from the Author(s) is required to use the above materials for academic purposes, such as lectures or scientific presentations.
  In every case, proper references including Author(s) name(s) and URL of this webpage: https://science24.com/paper/24606 must be provided.