title: Metrics for negative-refractive-index materials.
abstract: The importance of loss in the field solution for left-handed media, and in particular, the impact on what would otherwise be a purely evanescent field, is addressed. Using an equivalent electric current source, field solutions are constructed in semi-infinite and finite thickness left-handed media. In the slab case, field growth and power dissipation metrics with uniform amplitude and uniform power excitation, respectively, provide a means to evaluate the potential of a left-handed material lens. Power dissipation suggests that field growth will be adversely impacted.
authors.affiliation: School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Purdue University, 465 Northwestern Avenue, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907-2035, USA. webb@purdue.edu
authors.forename: K J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Webb
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: D W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Ward
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Nelson