Resonant tunneling effects on cavity-embedded metal film caused by surface-plasmon excitation

We investigate cavity-modulated resonant tunneling through a silver film with periodic grooves on both surfaces. A strip cavity embedded in the film affects tunneling frequencies via a coupling mode and waveguide mode. In the coupling mode, both the resonant tunneling through the gap between the groove and the cavity and the cavity itself form an entire resonant structure. In the waveguide mode, however, the cavity functions as a surface-plasmon waveguide. Hence, tunneling frequencies are close to resonant absorption frequencies of the groove structure and are irrelevant to cavity properties. (C) 2008 Optical Society of America