Abstract

We investigated localized surface plasmon-based enhancement of spatial resolution for total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy. The improvement of spatial resolution is based on plasmon excitation localized by hot spots induced between nanoislands. Near-field distribution of electromagnetic waves on the surface was calculated. For experimental verification, silver nanoisland samples were fabricated using temperature annealing method on an SF10 glass substrate. Fluorescent images of fluorescent beads and biological molecules measured on nanoislands confirm the enhancement of imaging resolution relative to a control using thin film substrates.

© 2010 Optical Society of America