For an optically thick metallic film, the transmission for both s- and
p-polarized waves is extremely low. If the metallic film is coated on both
sides with a finite dielectric layer, light transmission for p-polarized
waves can be enhanced considerably. This enhancement is not related to surface
plasmon-polaritions. Instead, it is due to the interplay between Fabry-Perot
interference in the coated dielectric layer and the existence of the Brewster
angle at the dielectric/metallic interface. It is shown that the coated
metallic films can act as excellent polarizers at infrared wavelengths.Comment: 3 pages, 4 figures. Submitted to Appl. Phys. Let