We studied theoretically the diffraction coupling of magnetic resonances in metamaterials consisting of a planar rectangular array of metal rod pairs with a dielectric spacer. A narrow-band mixed mode was observed due to a strong interaction between magnetic resonances in individual pairs of metal rods and an in-plane propagating collective surface mode arising from the array periodicity. Upon the excitation of this mixed mode, a five-fold enhancement of magnetic field in the dielectric spacer was achieved as compared with the purely magnetic resonance. It was also found that only a collective surface mode with its magnetic field parallel to the array plane could mediate the excitation of such a mixed mode.

• Received 8 September 2010

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.83.041402