Largely enhanced single-molecule fluorescence in plasmonic nanogaps formed by hybrid silver nanostructures.

ABSTRACT: It has been suggested that narrow gaps between metallic nanostructures can be practical for producing large field enhancement. We design a hybrid silver nanostructure geometry in which fluorescent emitters are sandwiched between silver nanoparticles and silver island film (SIF). A desired number of polyelectrolyte layers are deposited on the SIF surface before the self-assembly of a second silver nanoparticle layer. Layer-by-layer configuration provides a well-defined dye position. It allows us to study the photophyical behaviors of fluorophores in the resulting gap at the single molecule level. The enhancement factor of a fluorophore located in the gap is much higher than those on silver surfaces alone and on glass. These effects may be used for increased detectability of single molecules

SUBMITTER: Fu Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3709438 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature