Beyond the Bethe limit: Tunable enhanced light transmission through a single sub-wavelength aperture

Communication: The possibility of controlling structures at the light-wave- length scale would be of great consequence for near-field optical applicat ions, such as microscopy and photolithography. These authors have created a n artificial 2D crystal structure in a surrounding silver-metal film with w hich they demonstrate control and enhancement of the light from a single su bwavelength aperture, showing a way around the Bethe limit for the transmis sion through a single hole. In addition the transmission can be tuned to a given wavelength through the proper design of the 2D lattice.