Backward-wave regime and negative refraction in chiral composites

Possibilities to realize a negative refraction in chiral composites in dual-phase mixtures of chiral and dipole particles are studied. It is shown that because of a strong resonant interaction between chiral particles (helices) and dipoles, there is a stop band in the frequency area where the backward-wave regime is expected. The negative refraction can occur near the resonant frequency of chiral particles. Resonant chiral composites may offer a root to realization of negative-refraction effect and superlenses in the optical region. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.