Design Principles for Optoelectronic Applications of Extraordinary Light Transmission Effect in Plasmonics Nanoapertures

The extraordinary light transmission effect (EOT) through sub-wavelength nanoapertures in opaque metal films has lead to observation of a wide variety of exciting new optical phenomena. This remarkable effect is generally related to the interaction of the light with the extended plasmonic resonances on the surface of the metal film and localized surface plasmons in the apertures. On the other hand, there is little conceptual understanding for controlling the localized surface plasmonic behavior of the individual apertures and their coupling to the extended surface plasmons. In this letter, we present an intuitive and straightforward picture of the extra-ordinary light transmission phenomena based on basic antenna principles for plasmonic excitations and coupling of these plasmonic excitations in complex nano-apertures. Our quasi-static model remarkably well explains our experimental measurements in shape anisotropic structures with unique properties controlled by adjusting the size and the geometry of the apertures. Our approach puts forward new design principles for potential applications ranging from subwavelength optoelectronics and data storage to bio/chemical sensing.