Metamaterial inspired enhanced far-field transmission through a subwavelength nano-hole

In the present study, we first demonstrate the polarization and orientation dependent transmission response of split ring resonators at the infrared and visible band. Then, we numerically demonstrate a configuration for the enhancement of power passing through an electrically small hole. By using deep subwavelength optical split ring resonator antennas and couplers we achieved a 400-fold enhanced transmission from a subwavelength aperture area of the electrical size lambda(2)/25. The power was transmitted to the far field with 3.9 dBi directivity at 300 THz. (C) 2010 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim