Electromagnetic Surface Modes at Interfaces with Negative Refractive Index make a "Not-Quite-Perfect" Lens

Abstract

Interfaces between media with negative relative refractive index generically support propagating electromagnetic surface polariton modes with large wavenumber. The relation of these modes to a recent prediction by Pendry of ``perfect (real) image formation'' by a parallel slab of negative-refractive-index material is analyzed. The ``perfect image'' theory is found to be incomplete without inclusion of a large-wavenumber cutoff that derives from a necessary wavenumber-dependence of the constitutive relations, and which controls the resolution of the image.