Surface-plasmon-mediated single-molecule fluorescence through a thin metallic film.
We demonstrate that fluorescence of single molecules in the nanometric vicinity of a thin gold film can be effectively excited and detected through the film with an epi-illumination scanning confocal microscope. A full theoretical treatment of the fluorescence signal indicates that both excitation and emission are surface-plasmon mediated. Remarkably, the number of photons detectable from chromophores perpendicular to the interface is enhanced by the presence of the metal.
Stefani
F D
FD
Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, D-55128 Mainz, Germany.
Vasilev
K
K
Bocchio
N
N
Stoyanova
N
N
Kreiter
M
M