Approximate magnifying perfect lens with positive refraction

Abstract

We propose a device with a positive isotropic refractive index that creates an approximate magnified perfect real image of an optically homogeneous three-dimensional region of space within geometrical optics. Its key ingredient is a new refractive index profile that can work as an approximate perfect lens on its own, having a very moderate index range.

After we first published the paper on arXiv, Klaus Bering proved analytically that the key ingredient of our device - a refractive index n(r) with special focusing properties - does not really exist. Before that, we believed that it exists but we just cannot find its analytical form. Thus our device works only approximately, but we still believe that it may have value for further research