Pulsed and CW Gaussian beam interactions with double negative metamaterial slabs

The interactions of pulsed and continuous wave (CW) Gaussian beams with double negative (DNG) metatmaterials are considered. Subwavelength focusing of a diverging, normally incident pulsed Gaussian beam with a planar DNG slab is demonstrated. The negative angle of refraction behavior associated with the negative index of refraction exhibited by DNG metamaterials is demonstrated. The transmitted beam resulting from both 3-cycle and CW Gaussian beams that are obliquely incident on a DNG slab are shown to have this property. Gaussian beams that undergo total internal reflection from a DNG metamaterial slab are also shown to experience a negative Goos-Hanchen (lateral) shift. Several potential applications for these effects in the microwave and optical regimes are discussed. (C) 2003 Optical Society of America.