Split-Ring-Resonator-Coupled Enhanced Transmission through a Single Subwavelength Aperture

Abstract

We report the enhanced transmission of electromagnetic waves through a single subwavelength aperture by using a split-ring resonator (SRR) at microwave frequencies. By placing a single SRR at the near field of the aperture, strongly localized electromagnetic fields are effectively coupled to the aperture with a radius that is 20 times smaller than the resonance wavelength ($r/\ensuremath{\lambda}=0.05$). We obtained 740-fold transmission enhancement by exciting the electric resonance of SRR. A different coupling mechanism, through the magnetic resonance of SRR, is also verified to lead to enhanced transmission.