| Electrodynamic simulations based on the Finite Difference Time Domain (FDTD) method were used to investigate the transmission properties of periodic nanohole arrays in opaque metal films surrounded by dielectric media. It is believed that the mechanism for extraordinary transmission through these nanoarrays involves the coupling of evanescent Surface Plasmon Polariton (SPP) fields to the momentum of the array. Theoretical calculations performed show that transmission peak positions depend on the periodicity (separation) of the holes and changes in the surrounding dielectric environment. Additionally, polarization effects, unconventional aperture shapes and interactions between localized surface plasmons of individual apertures were analyzed. The combination of surface plasmon generated fields, their sensitivity to contacting dielectric medium, and the tunable properties of these periodic arrays provides insight into the potential design of novel chemical biosensors. |
