We have experimentally studied the polarization-dependent
transmission properties of a nanoslit in a gold film as a function of its
width. The slit exhibits strong birefringence and dichroism. We find,
surprisingly, that the transmission of the polarization parallel to the slit o
...
We have experimentally studied the polarization-dependent
transmission properties of a nanoslit in a gold film as a function of its
width. The slit exhibits strong birefringence and dichroism. We find,
surprisingly, that the transmission of the polarization parallel to the slit only
disappears when the slit is much narrower than half a wavelength, while the
transmission of the perpendicular component is reduced by the excitation
of surface plasmons. We exploit the slit¿s dichroism and birefringence to
realize a quarter-wave retarder.@en
