Patent ID: 8679855
Filing Date: 2014-03-25
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
1. A method for manipulating the emissions from a metal enhanced fluorescence system, the method comprising: a) providing a conductive metal surface on a substrate, wherein the conductive metal surface comprises a just-continuous film having a resistance ranging from about 5 to 25 ohms, wherein the just-continuous film is a multiplicity of interconnected metallic particles selected from the group consisting of nanostructures, islands, colloids and a cracked surface with particle nature, and wherein the substrate includes glass, quartz, copper or a polymeric material; b) positioning a fluorophore, chromophore or luminophore near the conductive metallic surface, wherein the fluorophore, chromophore or luminophore is capable of emitting detectable electromagnetic energy and wherein the fluorophore, chromophore or luminophore is positioned a distance from the conductive metallic surface to enhance the intensity of the emitting detectable electromagnetic energy and is positioned from about 10 to 20 nm from the metallic surface; c) applying electromagnetic energy in a wavelength sufficient to excite the fluorophore, chromophore or luminophore and cause detectable electromagnetic energy emissions; and d) connecting the conductive metal surface with a voltage source and an actuatable switch, wherein opening of the switch allows transference of direct current through the conductive metal surface which reduces or stops detectable electromagnetic energy emissions and closing of the switch provides for detectable electromagnetic energy emissions.