Silver nanostructure sensing platform for maximum-contrast fluorescence cell imaging

J Biomed Opt. 2011 May;16(5):056008. doi: 10.1117/1.3579157.

Abstract

We present herein a silver nanostructure-assisted sensing platform which consists of a combined structure of Ag nanowire (NW) and nanodot (ND) array. Highly enhanced fluorescence from fluorophore is attributed to a strongly coupled optical near-field interaction between proximately located Ag NW and NDs. We obtained enhanced fluorescence intensity with up to 140 folds, as contrasted from background intensity, reaching a theoretical maximum value. On the other hand, fluorescence lifetime was greatly reduced to 0.27 ns (from 2.17 ns for the same fluorophores without nanostructure). This novel platform can be a promising utility for optical imaging and labeling of biological systems with a great sensitivity.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Contrast Media
  • Escherichia coli / cytology*
  • Image Enhancement / methods*
  • Nanostructures*
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Silver*

Substances

  • Contrast Media
  • Silver