Fluorescence enhancement from nano-gap embedded plasmonic gratings by a novel fabrication technique with HD-DVD

Nanotechnology. 2012 Dec 14;23(49):495201. doi: 10.1088/0957-4484/23/49/495201. Epub 2012 Nov 16.

Abstract

We demonstrate strong electromagnetic field enhancement from nano-gaps embedded in silver gratings for visible wavelengths. These structures fabricated using a store-bought HD-DVD worth $10 and conventional micro-contact printing techniques have shown maximum fluorescence enhancement factors of up to 118 times when compared to a glass substrate under epi-fluorescent conditions. The novel fabrication procedure provides for the development of a cost-effective and facile plasmonic substrate for low-level chemical and biological detection. Electromagnetic field simulations were also performed that reveal the strong field confinement in the nano-gap region embedded in the silver grating, which is attributed to the combined effect of localized as well as propagating surface plasmons.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Compact Disks*
  • Computer Simulation
  • Electromagnetic Fields
  • Equipment Design
  • Equipment Failure Analysis
  • Fluorescence
  • Materials Testing
  • Metal Nanoparticles / chemistry*
  • Models, Chemical*
  • Nanotechnology / instrumentation*
  • Refractometry / instrumentation*
  • Scattering, Radiation
  • Silver / chemistry*
  • Surface Plasmon Resonance / instrumentation*

Substances

  • Silver