Critical process of extraordinary optical transmission through periodic subwavelength hole array: Hole-assisted evanescent-field coupling

We present a new explanation of the extraordinary optical transmission through subwavelength hole array in metal films. By using the classical coupled-wave theory, we analyzed the coupling process between light and the surface plasmons wave on metal films with hole array. The analysis shows clearly the physical mechanism of extraordinary optical transmission. The calculation demonstrates that, instead of energy flux directly passing through the holes, the electromagnetic modes could exchange energy by overlapping the evanescent fields under the assistance of hole array. The periodicity of the array provides the momentum-matching condition to present the transmission peaks. The theory exhibits a good agreement with the experimental results reported in every detail.