Ultimate limit of resolution of subwavelength imaging devices formed by metallic rods

It is demonstrated that the ultimate physical limit of resolution of novel imaging devices based on arrays of metallic rods is determined by the skin depth of the metal. Our theoretical and numerical results show that wire medium tenses may provide a unique solution for subwavelength imaging at frequencies up to the terahertz range and may enable image formation at a significant distance from the source plane. (C) 2008 Optical Society of America.