Advanced Optics: Refractive Index and Perfect Lens

This lecture covers the electromagnetic properties and refractive index, discussing the dispersion relation, evanescent waves, and the concept of a perfect lens that can resolve objects only a few nanometers across. It explores the phenomenon of negative refraction and the utilization of near-field perfect lenses at optical frequencies, emphasizing the impact of absorption on the lens effect. The presentation also delves into experimental realizations of superlenses and the resolution capabilities of materials like silver and phonon polaritons.