Enhanced optical transmission through an array of compound unit with multiple concentric or eccentric annular apertures

In this paper, transmission properties through an array of compound unit with multiple concentric or eccentric annular apertures are numerically studied. It is demonstrated that the transmission of the compound structure is not a simple superposition of that of each annular aperture array but exhibit substantial changes in both the position and intensity of resonant peaks. It is also found that the gap plasmon resonance exhibit split peaks when the symmetry is broken, which can be well explained from the view of charge oscillation. These properties provide a method to achieve enhanced transmission in multi-frequencies simultaneously and are of significant applicable value to the design of tunable optical devices.     

Extraordinary terahertz transmission through subwavelength spindle-like apertures in NbN filmExtraordinary terahertz transmission through subwavelength spindle-like apertures in NbN filmExtraordinary terahertz transmission through subwavelength spindle-like apertures in NbN filmExtraordinary terahertz transmission through subwavelength spindle-like apertures in NbN film

We studied numerically the temperature dependent extraordinary terahertz transmission through niobium nitride （NbN） film perforated with subwavelength spindle-like apertures. Both the resonant frequency and intensity of extraor- dinary terahertz transmission peaks can be greatly modified by the transition of NbN film from the normal state to the superconducting state. An enhancement of the （~1,0） NbN/magnesium oxide （MgO） peak intensity as high as 200% is demonstrated due to the combined contribution of both the superconducting transition and the excitation of localized surface plasmons （LSPs） around the apertures. The extraordinary terahertz transmission through spindle-fike hole arrays patterned on the NbN film can pave the way for us to explore novel active tuning devices.     

Delay in light transmission through small apertures

We demonstrate a technique for measuring pulse propagation time delays with 0.5-fs resolution by use of a widely available 100-fs pulsed laser. Using this technique, we measured the time delay of a light pulse transiting through subwavelength apertures placed on a 0.3-mum metallic film. We measured a 7-fs total transit time, corresponding to an effective group velocity of c/7 . The experimental result yielded additional evidence that light interacts resonantly with oscillators formed by the surface modes near the small apertures.     

Optical transmission properties and enhanced loss for randomly positioned apertures in a metal film

The transmission of light through randomly distributed rectangular apertures in a gold film on glass substrate is calculated for the first time. The results for randomly distributed apertures, when compared with the transmission resonance through a single aperture, show the new features of a peak reduction, a blue-shift and the appearance of ripples. Only the latter of these features has been reported previously. The loss from the isolated aperture is compared with the loss from the randomly distributed apertures to show how coupling between apertures enhances the loss in the presence of a lossy metal film. PACS 81.07.-b; 71.36.+c; 78.66.Bz; 42.25.Dd     

Resonant transmission of cold atoms through subwavelength apertures

Recently, it has been observed that transmission of light through subwavelength apertures, which is usually negligible, can be significantly enhanced when surface plasmons are resonantly excited. Here we introduce the idea that similar effects can be expected for cold atoms in structures supporting surface matter waves. We show that surface matter waves are possible in properly designed structures, and then we theoretically demonstrate 100% transmission of rubidium atoms through an array of slits much narrower than the de Broglie wavelength of the atoms. Our results open up the possibility of using surface matter waves to control the flow of neutral atoms.     

Theory of resonant acoustic transmission through subwavelength apertures

A complete landscape is presented of the acoustic transmission properties of subwavelength apertures (slits and holes). First, we study the emergence of Fabry-Perot resonances in single apertures. When these apertures are placed in a periodic fashion, a new type of transmission resonance appears in the spectrum. We demonstrate that this resonance stems from the excitation of an acoustic guided wave that runs along the plate, which hybridizes strongly with the Fabry-Perot resonances associated with waveguide modes in single apertures. A detailed discussion of the similarities and differences with the electromagnetic case is also given.     

Anomalous terahertz transmission in bow-tie plasmonic antenna apertures

Arrays of subwavelength dipole bow-tie apertures are designed and characterized at terahertz frequencies. For an incident terahertz field perpendicular to the longer axis of the bow tie, a strong resonance enhancement, line narrowing, and a nonmonotonic frequency shift were observed with increasing length of the tapered bow-tie arms. Such characteristic behaviors primarily originate from localized surface plasmon resonances. In addition, with a decreasing aperture size, the contribution of localized plasmons becomes prominent due to an increase in plasmonic lifetime as the terahertz pulses strongly couple with the metallic surface surrounding the bow-tie apertures.     

Optical transmission through subwavelength slit apertures in metallic films

Transmission of polarized light through subwavelength slit apertures is studied in visible and near infrared range wavelengths. We examine the roles played by the slit apertures, such as length, depth, period and number of slits. The experiment results, including dispersion curves, demonstrate among other things that the surface plasmon polariton and Fabry-Perot waveguide modes collectively dictate the transmission properties of subwavelength slit arrays and that as they approach each other, not only large gaps are formed but also mode interconversion occurs. These findings are discussed and compared to theoretical predictions.     

All-optical switching of the transmission of electromagnetic radiation through subwavelength apertures

Unprecedented optical control of the surface plasmon polariton assisted transmission of terahertz radiation through subwavelength apertures is rendered possible by carrier-induced changes to the dielectric properties of a semiconductor grating. Although the study presented is static, the extension of our approach to dynamic switching and tuning is deemed straightforward, opening the way for the realization of ultrafast surface plasmon based devices.     

Resonantly enhanced transmission of light through subwavelength apertures with dielectric filling

Using both analytical and numerical methods to study transmission of light through dielectric-filled subwavelength apertures in a real metal, we have found that a propagating mode can in principle exist inside a waveguide of arbitrary small size if a particular relationship between the dielectric constants of the cladding and filling materials at the incident frequency is satisfied. Practical transmission through a subwavelength aperture of finite depth can be enhanced when the depth is such that Fabry-Pérot-like resonances are excited. For 810 nm light incident on a silicon-filled 50-nm-diameter aperture in a 200-nm-thick gold film, we found that a normalized near-field intensity ratio of 1.6 at the exit can be achieved. This resonantly enhanced transmission phenomenon may be advantageously applicable to near-field scanning optical microscopy and single-molecule spectroscopy.     

FSS-based approach for the power transmission enhancement through electrically small apertures

In this paper, a novel approach, based on the employment of frequency selective surfaces, to enhance the power transmission through sub-wavelength apertures at the microwave frequencies is presented. A heuristic interpretation of the phenomenon is given, as well as an analytical model, based on the transmission line network representation. Finally, the performance of the proposed structure is validated through a set of full-wave numerical simulations.     

Thermal switching of the enhanced transmission of terahertz radiation through subwavelength apertures

We demonstrate that the extraordinary transmission of terahertz radiation through semiconductor gratings of subwavelength apertures can be switched completely by varying the temperature. The enhanced transmission, which is due to the resonant tunneling of surface plasmon polaritons that can be excited in semiconductors at terahertz frequencies, is controlled by thermally modifying the density of free carriers. The transmission through metal gratings cannot be switched in the same way since the carrier density is temperature independent. Thus semiconductors offer an interesting alternative to metals in enhancing the transmission of electromagnetic radiation.     

Polarization-tunable plasmon-enhanced extraordinary transmission through metallic films using asymmetric cruciform apertures

Plasmon-enhanced transmission of light incident on a periodic array of nanoscale, asymmetric cruciform patterns is demonstrated. The corresponding transmission spectra are shown to be polarization dependent and possess unique properties, such as the existence of isosbestic points for which the transmission is polarization insensitive. Transmission peaks corresponding to localized surface plasmon resonances and extended surface plasmons are also identified.     

Extraordinary acoustic transmission through a 1D grating with very narrow apertures

Recently, there has been an increased interest in studying extraordinary optical transmission (EOT) through subwavelength aperture arrays perforated in a metallic film. In this Letter, we report that the transmission of an incident acoustic wave through a one-dimensional acoustic grating can also be drastically enhanced. This extraordinary acoustic transmission (EAT) has been investigated both theoretically and experimentally, showing that the coupling between the diffractive wave and the wave-guide mode plays an important role in EAT. This phenomenon can have potential applications in acoustics and also might provide a better understanding of EOT in optical subwavelength systems.     

Light transmission through polyethylene samples

A spectral calibration Hg(Ar) lamp and a pulsed Nd:YAG laser were employed to study the UV, VIS and IR light transmission through polyethylene samples, as pure and doped with Fe₂O₃ and carbon nanotubes. Optical measurements were performed in the spectral range between 200 nm and 800 nm. Measurements with 0.1% and 1% in weight of filler concentrations were investigated. The polymers' optical absorption coefficients, calculated from the experimental transmitted component, were tabulated at different wavelengths as a function of the analyzed samples. The radiation depth penetration was also evaluated.     

Enhanced transmission through subwavelength metallic coaxial apertures by excitation of the TEM mode

We present here the first theoretical demonstration of enhanced transmission (up to 90%) through annular aperture arrays engraved into opaque metallic plates thanks to the excitation of the TEM guided mode inside each coaxial cavity. The generation of this peculiar mode is obtained, first, by illuminating the structure under oblique incidence and, second, by considering a TM polarization. Analytical demonstration is performed to confirm the involvement of these two conditions for the emergence of this guided mode. The originality of this configuration comes, first, from the fact that the TEM mode has no cut-off wavelength and, second, from the fact that the transmission peak position is independent of the angle of incidence. PACS 42.25.Fx; 78.20.Bh; 78.67.-n