We show that a metamaterial consisting of aligned metallic nanowires in a dielectric matrix has strongly anisotropic optical properties. For filling ratio $f<1/2$, the composite medium shows two surface plasmon resonances (SPRs): the transverse and longitudinal SPR with wavelengths ${\lambda }_t<{\lambda }_l$. For $\lambda >{\lambda }_l$, the longitudinal SPR, the material exhibits $\text{Re}{\epsilon }_{\parallel }<0$, $\text{Re}{\epsilon }_{\perp }>0$, relative to the nanowires axis, enabling the achievement of broadband all-angle negative refraction and superlens imaging. An imaging theory of superlens made of these media is established. High performance systems made with Au, Ag, or Al nanowires in nanoporous templates are designed and predicted to work from the infrared up to ultraviolet frequencies.

• Received 1 May 2008

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.77.233101