Negative refractive index in optics of metal-dielectric composites
Abstract
Specially designed metal-dielectric composites can have a negative refractive index in the optical range. Specifically, it is shown that arrays of single and paired nanorods can provide such negative refraction. For pairs of metal rods, a negative refractive index has been observed at 1.5 micrometer. The inverted structure of paired voids in metal films may also exhibit a negative refractive index. A similar effect can be accomplished with metal strips in which the refractive index can reach -2. The refractive index retrieval procedure and the critical role of light phases in determining the refractive index is discussed.
- Publication:
-
Journal of the Optical Society of America B Optical Physics
- Pub Date:
- March 2006
- DOI:
- 10.1364/JOSAB.23.000423
- arXiv:
- arXiv:physics/0510001
- Bibcode:
- 2006JOSAB..23..423K
- Keywords:
-
- Physics - Optics
- E-Print:
- 39 pages, 17 figures, 24 equations