Patent ID: 7648834
Filing Date: 2010-01-19
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
1. A structure for plasmon resonance augmentation of fluorescent emission from fluorescent molecules comprising: a substrate, a nanostructured film of silver, copper, titanium, aluminum, chromium, or tungsten metal or alloys thereof deposited on the top of the substrate, a spacer layer of optically transparent material deposited on top of the nanostructured film, the spacer layer comprised of aqueous impervious material capable of protecting the nanostructured film from degradation by aqueous media, the spacer layer having a physical thickness of about 50 to about 400 nanometers, wherein the plasmon resonance fluorescent emission augmentation is a function of the thickness of the spacer layer and the dielectric properties of the metal surface, and the plasmon resonance fluorescent emission augmentation is in the range of 20 fold or greater.