title: Design of a solid-state nanopore-based platform for single-molecule spectroscopy.
abstract: We numerically assess the light propagation and distribution characteristics of electromagnetic fields on nanopores formed in dielectric and metal/dielectric membranes using a frequency-domain finite element method (3D full-wave electromagnetic field simulation). Results of such studies were used to identify aluminum as an ideal material for use in optically thick metal/dielectric membranes. The comparison between SiN and Al/SiN membranes (with and without a submicron sized aperture) was numerically and experimentally shown to verify the effect of optically thick metal layers on light propagation and fluorescence excitation. The cut-off behavior for Al/SiN membranes with varying pore diameters was investigated in terms of light propagation, distribution of electromagnetic fields, and light attenuation characteristics.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, South Kensington, London SW7 2AZ, UK.
authors.forename: Jongin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.forename: Yoonjae
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Guillaume A T
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Chansin
authors.forename: Joshua B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Edel
authors.forename: Andrew J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Demello