Metal surfaces influence the manner in which photoexcitation is converted to fluorescence emission from photoactive molecules through a complex interplay of enhancing and quenching mechanisms.1 Of fundamental scientific interest and technological importance is the possibility to precisely modify the electronic states in emitters by surface plasmons in metals. This capability could facilitate the development of extremely sensitive devices for potential applications in biotechnology, optoelectronics, and nanophotonics through “sub-wavelength” manipulation of light. However, this endeavor demands novel approaches to tailor the plasmonic behavior of metals and luminescence properties of fluorophores as well as in-depth understanding of parameters that govern plasmon-exciton interactions.
展开▼
