Purdue Research Foundation

Wenshan Cai

Vladimir M Shalaev

Alexander V Kildishev

Vladimir P Drachev

Uday K Chettiar

A tunable super-lens (TSL) for nanoscale optical sensing and imaging of bio-molecules and nano-manufacturing utilizes negative-index materials (NIMs) that operate in the visible or near infrared light. The NIMs can create a lens that will perform sub-wavelength imaging, enhanced resolution imaging, or flat lens imaging. This new TSL covers two different operation scales. For short distances between the object and its image, a near-field super-lens (NFSL) can create or enhance images of objects located at distances much less than the wavelength of light. For the far-zone, negative values are necessary for both the permittivity &#x2208; a permeability &#x3bc;. While well-structured periodic meta-materials, which require delicate design and precise fabrication, can be used, metal-dielectric composites are also candidates for NIMs in the optical range. The negative-refraction in the composite films can be made by using frequency-selective photomodification.

Near field raman imaging

An object is disposed such that the apparatus is between the object and an observer. The appearance of the object is altered and, in the limit, the object cannot be observed, and the background appears unobstructed. The apparatus is formed of a metamaterial where the properties of the metamaterial are varied as a function of distance from the interfaces. The metamaterial may be fabricated as a composite material having a dielectric component and inclusions of particles of sub-wavelength size, and may also include a gain medium.

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Sunnyvale, CA, United States of America

Wenshan Cai