  We present FDTD calculations for transmission of light and other
electromagnetic waves through periodic arrays of slits in a metallic slab. The
results show resonant, frequency dependent, transmittance peaks for
subwavelength widths of the slits which can be up to a factor of ten with
respect to those out of resonance. Although our conclusions agree with previous
work by Lezec and Thio as regards both the magnitude of the enhancement and the
lack of contribution of surface plasmon polaritons of the metal surface to this
effect, we derive an interpretation from a theory that deals with emerging
beam- Rayleigh anomalies of the grating, and with Fabry-Perot resonances of the
perforated slab considered as an effective medium.
