Single sub-wavelength aperture with greatly enhanced transmission

High transmission efficiency at terahertz (THz) frequency is reported for a single aperture with sub-wavelength dimensions having a Siemens-star shape, microfabricated in the metal film and surrounded by periodic surface corrugations. Compared to theoretical predictions for a simple circular hole of equivalent area, up to ∼106 transmission enhancements were observed experimentally. Such a pointed-shape aperture was also used to obtain the detailed profile of the electric field distribution in the focal plane of a linearly polarized focused THz beam. Applications could be extended to other regions of the electromagnetic spectrum by appropriate scaling of aperture microstructure. (paper)