Super-resolution imaging of a single metal layer: high loss but superior resolution

In this work, we re-analyze the influence of the loss on the super-resolution imaging of a single metal layer superlens system and reveal its positive role of the imaging. The analysis is based on the surface plasmon polariton (SPP) theory. We show that SPP mode with high loss could suppress the amplification of evanescent waves and concentrate the energy, thus contribute to the imaging. We propose to surround the metal layer with high index medium to increase the loss of the SPP modes. The proposed structure shows better performance in super-resolution imaging than the low loss cases. Numerical simulations are performed to demonstrate the results by using two-dimensional finite element method.