Analysis of polarization properties of shallow metallic gratings by an extended Rayleigh-Fano theory

Rayleigh-Fano theory has been extended for the purpose of calculating the polarization anomaly of a grating having shallow grooves and finite conductivity. Simple analytic formulas are derived for predicting the position and the appearance of the anomalies. Phenomenological explanations are given to the origin of the anomalies. The validity of our analysis is examined by comparing computed degree of polarization with experimental data obtained in the visible region for Al-, Ag-, and Au-coated blazed gratings.