Plasmonic critical angle in optical transmission through subwavelength metallic gratings

We observe and theoretically analyze the plasmonic analog of the critical angle phenomenon in optical transmission through subwavelength gratings milled in an optically thick metal film. The total transmission from a denser medium to a less dense one vanishes while the total reflection holds very strong, providing the incidence angle increases past the plasmonic critical angle (PCA). The conditions and physical origins of the total internal reflection above the PCA are clarified. (C) 2011 Optical Society of America