Imaging properties of uniaxially anisotropic negative refractive index materials

The imaging properties of uniaxially anisotropic negative refractive index materials have been investigated theoretically. Based on an accurate theoretical formulation, we have discussed in detail whether and under what conditions the slabs of uniaxially anisotropic negative refractive index materials will have the power to focus perfectly all Fourier components of an image. It was shown that if the effects of absorption and dispersion can be neglected, under some particular conditions the slabs of uniaxially anisotropic negative refractive index materials will have the power to focus perfectly all E-mode or all H-mode or both E- and H-mode Fourier components of an image. It was also shown that perfect focus cannot occur in the presence of absorption and dispersion, but if the effects of absorption and dispersion are rather small, excellent focus can still occur. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.