Surface-topography-induced enhanced transmission and directivity of microwave radiation through a subwavelength circular metal aperture

Strongly enhanced transmission of microwave radiation (lambda(0)similar to5 mm) is observed through a single subwavelength circular aperture of diameter d=2.5 mm in a metallic plate. The phenomenon is caused by resonant excitation of electromagnetic surface waves supported by four concentric grooves surrounding the aperture on the illuminated side of the sample. It is also shown that similar surface patterning on the output face of the sample results in very strong angular confinement (directivity) of the transmitted beam. A finite element code is used to investigate the electromagnetic fields on both the illuminated and the exit side of the structure, the predictions from which show excellent agreement with the experimental results. (C) 2004 American Institute of Physics.