Open AccessNear-field characterization of extraordinary optical transmission in sub-wavelength aperture arrays
Author(s) -
Michael Mrejen,
Abraham Israel,
Hesham Taha,
Mila Palchan,
Aaron Lewis
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.15.009129
Subject(s) - optics , wavelength , extraordinary optical transmission , aperture (computer memory) , near field scanning optical microscope , near and far field , polarization (electrochemistry) , surface plasmon , ray , materials science , near field optics , physics , transmission (telecommunications) , surface plasmon polariton , plasmon , optical microscope , telecommunications , scanning electron microscope , chemistry , computer science , acoustics
Extra ordinary transmission through arrays of subwavelength apertures has been investigated using near-field scanning optical microscopy. For such studies arrays were fabricated to give maximum resonance enhancement of light transmission at the wavelength of illumination that was used (532 nm). To define this enhancement a design was employed that allowed in one field of view of a near-field image the investigation of single apertures of dimension that was similar to what was incorporated into the sub-wavelength hole array. Significant asymmetry in the transmission and the propagation of the light along the aperture array was detected. This non-uniformity could be explained by polarization of the incident light, edge effects and the geometry of the array. The results support a hypothesis of both enhanced transmission due to surface plasmons and a non-diffracting beaming as a function of distance effect in the propagation of the light from the array.