Design of Negative Index Metamaterials for the Visible Spectrum

Optical imaging systems are used extensively in everyday life for military and civilian applications. Just like any other technology there is always a push to improve the performance over what is the current state of the art. Unfortunately, all optical systems are constrained by the fundamental limit of diffraction. This constraint limits the resolution of a system to approximately half of the illumination wavelength. One can adjust design elements of a system to increase resolution however, due to operating specifications these parameters are not available to change. A new class of materials, called negative index of refraction (NIM), is being developed to overcome the diffraction limit. Digital Fusion Solutions, Inc. proposes to develop a negative index of refraction material that is designed for the visible spectrum using transparent metallo-dielectric photonic band gap technology coupled with a far-field superlens grating.