Observation of enhanced transmission for s-polarized light through a subwavelength slit

TL;DR

This study demonstrates enhanced transmission of s-polarized light through a subwavelength slit by using a dielectric waveguide, showing potential for improved light transmission in nanophotonic devices.

Contribution

The paper introduces a novel method to enhance s-polarized light transmission through subwavelength slits using dielectric waveguide modes, expanding beyond traditional p-polarized EOT.

Findings

S-polarized transmission is significantly increased with dielectric waveguide modes.

Experimental results align well with coupled mode model predictions.

Adding a waveguide enables efficient transmission of both s and p-polarized light.

Abstract

Enhanced optical transmission (EOT) through subwavelength apertures is usually obtained for p-polarized light. The present study experimentally investigates EOT for s-polarized light. A subwavelength slit surrounded on each side by periodic grooves has been fabricated in a gold film and covered by a thin dielectric layer. The excitation of s-polarized dielectric waveguide modes inside the dielectric film strongly increases the s-polarized transmission. Transmission measurements are compared with a coupled mode model and show good qualitative agreement. Adding a waveguide can improve light transmission through subwavelength apertures, as both s and p-polarization can be efficiently transmitted.