초록 ▼

An apparatus for enhanced light transmission is provided. The apparatus comprises a metal film having a first surface and a second surface, at least one aperture being provided in the metal film and extending from the first surface to the second surface. The at least one aperture comprises an entran

An apparatus for enhanced light transmission is provided. The apparatus comprises a metal film having a first surface and a second surface, at least one aperture being provided in the metal film and extending from the first surface to the second surface. The at least one aperture comprises an entrance portion disposed on the first surface of the metal film and an exit portion disposed in the second surface of the metal film, each portion having a cross-sectional area in the plane of the corresponding metal film surface, wherein the cross-sectional area of the entrance portion is not equal to the cross-sectional area of the exit portion. A periodic surface topography is provided on at least one of the first and second surfaces of the metal film, the periodic surface topography comprising a plurality of surface features, wherein the geometry of each aperture entrance portion substantially matches the geometry of the surface features.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An apparatus for enhanced light transmission comprising: a metal film having a first surface and a second surface; at least one aperture provided in the metal film and extending from the first surface to the second surface, the at least one aperture comprising an entrance portion disposed on

1. An apparatus for enhanced light transmission comprising: a metal film having a first surface and a second surface; at least one aperture provided in the metal film and extending from the first surface to the second surface, the at least one aperture comprising an entrance portion disposed on the first surface of the metal film and an exit portion disposed in the second surface of the metal film, each portion having a cross-sectional area in the plane of the corresponding metal film surface, wherein the cross-sectional area of the entrance portion is not equal to the cross-sectional area of the exit portion; and a periodic surface topography provided on at least one of the first and second surfaces of the metal film, the periodic surface topography comprising a plurality of surface features, wherein the geometry of each aperture entrance portion substantially matches the geometry of the surface features. 2. The apparatus for enhanced light transmission of claim 1, wherein the cross-sectional area of the entrance portion is greater than the cross-sectional area of the exit portion. 3. The apparatus for enhanced light transmission of claim 1, wherein the cross-sectional area of the entrance portion is less than the cross-sectional area of the exit portion. 4. The apparatus for enhanced light transmission of claim 1, wherein the metal film is fixed to a substrate. 5. The apparatus for enhanced light transmission of claim 1, wherein the surface features comprise dimples. 6. The apparatus for enhanced light transmission of claim 1, wherein the surface features comprise semi-spherical protrusions. 7. The apparatus for enhanced light transmission of claim 1, wherein the surface features comprise grooves. 8. The apparatus for enhanced light transmission of claim 1, wherein the surface features comprise ribs. 9. The apparatus for enhanced light transmission of claim 1, wherein the surface features comprise concentric depressed rings. 10. The apparatus for enhanced light transmission of claim 1, wherein the surface features comprise concentric raised rings. 11. The apparatus for enhanced light transmission of claim 1, wherein the at least one aperture comprises a single aperture. 12. The apparatus for enhanced light transmission of claim 1, wherein the at least one aperture comprises a plurality of apertures. 13. The apparatus for enhanced light transmission of claim 12, wherein the plurality of apertures are periodically arranged, and wherein the periodic apertures and the periodic surface features are positionally commensurate and in phase. 14. The apparatus for enhanced light transmission of claim 1, wherein the exit portion of each aperture is provided with a cylindrical cross-sectional profile. 15. The apparatus for enhanced light transmission of claim 1, wherein the exit portion of each aperture is provided with a conical cross-sectional profile. 16. The apparatus for enhanced light transmission of claim 1, wherein the exit portion of each aperture is provided with a frustum-shaped cross-sectional profile. 17. The apparatus for enhanced light transmission of claim 1, wherein the exit portion of each aperture is coaxial. 18. The apparatus for enhanced light transmission of claim 1, wherein the light is incident on a surface of the metal film having the periodic surface topography provided thereon. 19. The apparatus for enhanced light transmission of claim 1, wherein the diameter of the entrance portion of the aperture is about one half of the periodicity of the surface features. 20. The apparatus for enhanced light transmission of claim 1, wherein each aperture is filled with a dielectric material having an index of refraction greater than that of air. 21. The apparatus for enhanced light transmission of claim 1, wherein each aperture is located within a valley of the periodic surface topography.