Diffraction regimes of single holes.

We investigate both experimentally and theoretically the far-field diffraction patterns of single circular apertures as a function of their diameters d and at a given illumination wavelength λ. We observe the transition between the well-known pseudoscalar regime of large holes (d≫λ) and the less-known vectorial regime of subwavelength ones (d≪λ). Four different diffraction regimes are identified for different d/λ regions, each one with its polarization dependence. A thorough comparison with a theoretical model, which takes into account both finite hole size and the dielectric properties of the metal, allows us to explain and understand the physical processes leading to this behavior. Our results reveal the subtle interplay between two competing factors, one related to polarization symmetries associated with surface-plasmon excitations and the other originating in the coupling of the field to the waveguide mode of the aperture.

Enhanced optical transmission at the cutoff transition.

The phenomenon of extraordinary transmission in the optical regime for circular hole arrays in optically thick metal films is studied as a function of hole size and depth. In the limit of small holes compared to the depth, the transmission properties follow a waveguide type behavior. By describing the transmission process as resulting from the interference between a resonant and a non-resonant contribution, a transition is clearly revealed through the specific spectral variations of the resonance at a given hole depth. This transition is associated to a change in the attenuation through the hole as its size increases, and corresponds to the optimal condition for surface plasmon excitation.

Decorating parylene-coated glass with ZnO nanoparticles for antibacterial applications: a comparative study of sonochemical, microwave, and microwave-plasma coating routes.

A glass substrate, coated with a Parylene film, was coated with ZnO by three different methods: ultrasound, microwave, and microwave-plasma irradiation. These coating modes are simple, efficient, and environmentally friendly one-step processes. The structure of the coated products was characterized and compared using methods such as XRD, HR-SEM, EDS, RBS, and optical spectroscopy. Coating by ZnO nanoparticles was achieved for all three approaches. The products were found to differ in their particle sizes, coating thickness, and depth of penetration. All of the ZnO-Parylene-glass composites demonstrated a significant antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli (Gram negative) and Staphylococcus aureus (Gram positive) strains.