Finite checkerboards of dissipative negative refractive index

The electromagnetic properties of finite checkerboards consisting of alternating rectangular cells of positive refractive index (epsilon= +1, micro= +1) and negative refractive index (epsilon= -1, micro= -1) have been investigated numerically. We show that the numerical calculations have to be carried out with very fine discretization to accurately model the highly singular behaviour of these checkerboards. Our solutions show that, within the accuracy of the numerical calculations, the focusing properties of these checkerboards are reasonably robust in the presence of moderate levels of dissipation. We also show that even small systems of checkerboards can display focussing effects to some extent.