Experimental demonstration of the enhanced transmission through circular and rectangular sub-wavelength apertures using omega-like split-ring resonators

Enhanced transmission through circular and rectangular sub-wavelength apertures using omega-shaped split-ring resonator is numerically and experimentally demonstrated at microwave frequencies. We report a more than 150,000-fold enhancement through a deep sub-wavelength aperture drilled in a metallic screen. To the authors’ best knowledge, this is the highest experimentally obtained enhancement factor reported in the literature. In the paper, we address also the origins and the physical reasons behind the enhancement results. Moreover, we report on the differences occurring when using circular, rectangular apertures as well as double-sided and single-sided omega-like split ring resonator structures.

► We experimentally demonstrated enhanced transmission through sub-wavelength apertures by omega-like split-ring resonator.
► We designed omega-like split ring resonators which have not been used for transmission enhancement studies.
► We obtained more than 150,000-fold enhancement through a rectangular deep sub-wavelength aperture.
► This is the highest experimentally obtained enhancement factor reported in the literature.
► We analyzed the physical origins behind the enhancement numerically.