Role of shape and localized resonances in extraordinary transmission through periodic arrays of subwavelength holes: Experiment and theory

The effect of the aspect ratio of rectangular holes on the transmissivity of periodic arrays of subwavelength holes in optically thick metal films is investigated. The transmissivity is found to be highly dependent on the aspect ratio of the holes. Moreover, the wavelengths of maximum transmissivity show a monotonous shift as a function of the aspect ratio of the holes. We attribute the enhanced transmission of the periodic arrays to an interplay of surface plasmons at the surface of the metal and shape resonances (also known as localized modes) inside the holes. The importance of the shape resonances was confirmed by a comparison of transmission through periodic hole arrays and through randomly distributed holes. Dispersion curves of periodic and random hole arrays confirmed the existence of shape resonance as well. We suggest that the localized modes effectively act as waveguides and increase the coupling efficiency of surface plasmons between both sides of the film, which results in a higher transmissivity. The shift of the maxima of the transmissivity may in part be explained by the spectral position of the localized modes in the individual holes. Finally measurements on similar patterns in Ni and Ag revealed that the occurrence of shape resonances is independent of the material of the film.