Modulation of the extraordinary optical transmission by surface acoustic waves

The numerical study of the acoustic (elastic) effect in periodically nanostructured metallic films exhibiting extraordinary optical transmission (EOT) deposited onto the top of a piezoelectric material is reported. Surface acoustic waves are generated in the piezoelectric substrate and their influence in the transmission spectrum of the EOT structure is studied. It is shown that low frequency acoustic waves can significantly tune the resonance frequency of the EOT structure and modulate the transmitted intensity. Acoustic waves appear as an interesting route to realize controllable EOT devices and other active plasmonic components.