Two-dimensional point spread matrix of layered metal-dielectric imaging elements.

We describe the change of the spatial distribution of the state of polarization occurring during two-dimensional (2D) imaging through a multilayer and in particular through a layered metallic flat lens. Linear or circular polarization of incident light is not preserved due to the difference in the amplitude transfer functions for the TM and TE polarizations. In effect, the transfer function and the point spread function (PSF) that characterize 2D imaging through a multilayer both have a matrix form, and cross-polarization coupling is observed for spatially modulated beams with a linear or circular incident polarization. The PSF in a matrix form is used to characterize the resolution of the superlens for different polarization states. We demonstrate how the 2D PSF may be used to design a simple diffractive nanoelement consisting of two radial slits. The structure assures the separation of nondiffracting radial beams originating from two slits in the mask and exhibits an interesting property of a backward power flow in between the two rings.

[1]  Heyuan Zhu,et al.  Collimations and negative refractions by slabs of 2D photonic crystals with periodically-aligned tube-type air holes. , 2007, Optics express.

[2]  R. Blaikie,et al.  Super-resolution imaging through a planar silver layer. , 2005, Optics express.

[3]  John B. Pendry,et al.  Removal of absorption and increase in resolution in a near-field lens via optical gain , 2003 .

[4]  Masaya Notomi,et al.  Theory of light propagation in strongly modulated photonic crystals: Refractionlike behavior in the vicinity of the photonic band gap , 2000 .

[5]  R. Kotyński,et al.  Fourier optics approach to imaging with sub-wavelength resolution through metal-dielectric multilayers , 2010, 1006.3669.

[6]  Tomasz Stefaniuk,et al.  Multiscale analysis of subwavelength imaging with metal-dielectric multilayers. , 2009, Optics letters.

[7]  C Sibilia,et al.  Transmission function properties for multi-layered structures: application to super-resolution. , 2009, Optics express.

[8]  D. Schurig,et al.  The asymmetric lossy near-perfect lens , 2002 .

[9]  Jing Chen,et al.  A new type of vector fields with hybrid states of polarization. , 2010, Optics express.

[10]  M. Rosenbluth,et al.  Limitations on subdiffraction imaging with a negative refractive index slab , 2002, cond-mat/0206568.

[11]  A. Grbic,et al.  Overcoming the diffraction limit with a planar left-handed transmission-line lens. , 2004, Physical review letters.

[12]  D. Tsai,et al.  Directed subwavelength imaging using a layered metal-dielectric system , 2006, physics/0608170.

[13]  Alexander M. Bratkovsky,et al.  Metallic negative index nanostructures at optical frequencies: losses and effect of gain medium , 2007 .

[14]  Andrew W. Norfolk,et al.  Reconstruction of optical fields with the Quasi-discrete Hankel transform. , 2010, Optics express.

[15]  Philip J Bones,et al.  Image fidelity for single-layer and multi-layer silver superlenses. , 2008, Journal of the Optical Society of America. A, Optics, image science, and vision.

[16]  R. W. Christy,et al.  Optical Constants of the Noble Metals , 1972 .

[17]  Q. Zhan.  Cylindrical vector beams: from mathematical concepts to applications , 2009 .

[18]  Tomasz Stefaniuk,et al.  Comparison of imaging with sub-wavelength resolution in the canalization and resonant tunnelling regimes , 2009 .

[19]  Steven G. Johnson,et al.  Subwavelength imaging in photonic crystals , 2003 .

[20]  J. Pendry,et al.  Negative refraction makes a perfect lens , 2000, Physical review letters.

[21]  N. Fang,et al.  Sub–Diffraction-Limited Optical Imaging with a Silver Superlens , 2005, Science.

[22]  K. Nelson,et al.  Metrics for negative-refractive-index materials. , 2004, Physical review. E, Statistical, nonlinear, and soft matter physics.

[23]  Lixin Ran,et al.  Layered superlensing in two-dimensional photonic crystals. , 2006, Optics express.

[24]  Y. Kivshar,et al.  Spatially engineered polarization states and optical vortices in uniaxial crystals. , 2010, Optics express.