Inverse metal-stripe polarizers

Metal-stripe polarizers that transmit the TE component and block the TM component of a monochromatic electromagnetic plane wave are designed by rigorous diffraction theory of gratings. The polarization ratio of such an inverse metal-stripe polarizer made of gold can theoretically exceed 100 at, for example, lambda = 632.8 nm. In our first fabrication experiments with direct-write electron beam lithography the inverse transmission effect was verified for Cr and Au gratings. Polarization ratios of up to 10 were achieved for gold gratings; the difference between the theoretical and experimental results is explained by the presence of a thin Ti adhesion layer.