  We consider propagation of coupled waves (polaritons) formed by a scalar
electromagnetic wave and excitations of a finite one dimensional chain of
dipoles. It is shown that a microscopic defect (an impurity dipole) embedded in
the chain causes resonance tunneling of the electromagnetic wave with the
frequency within the forbidden band between two polariton branches. We
demonstrate that resonance tunneling occurs due to local polariton states
caused by the defect.
