Abstract

A heretofore unknown total absorption phenomenon on a diffraction grating has been demonstrated both theoretically and experimentally. It occurs only in a series of six special conditions, namely, groove shape, angle of incidence, groove frequency, depth modulation, polarization, and metal surface. None of the classical explanations for grating anomalous behavior seems to correspond to this case.

© 1988 Optical Society of America

Total absorption of light by gratings in grazing incidence: a connection in the complex plane with other types of anomaly

Eugene K. Popov, Lyuben B. Mashev, and Erwin G. Loewen
Appl. Opt. 28(5) 970-975 (1989)

Artificial Diffraction Anomalies for Gratings of Rectangular Profile

Frederick C. Evering
Appl. Opt. 5(8) 1313-1317 (1966)

Antireflection gold surface-relief gratings: experimental characteristics

Nile F. Hartman and Thomas K. Gaylord
Appl. Opt. 27(17) 3738-3743 (1988)

A New Theory of Wood’s Anomalies on Optical Gratings

A. Hessel and A. A. Oliner
Appl. Opt. 4(10) 1275-1297 (1965)

Optimization of the grating efficiency in grazing incidence

Lyuben B. Mashev, E. K. Popov, and Erwin G. Loewen
Appl. Opt. 26(22) 4738-4741 (1987)