Patent ID: 7738107

Claim:
A surface plasmon enhanced fluorescence sensor, comprising: a light source that emits an excitation light beam of a predetermined wavelength; a dielectric block formed of a material that transmits the excitation light beam; a metal film formed on a surface of the dielectric block; a non flexible film of a hydrophobic material formed on the metal film at a film thickness within a range of 10 to 100 nm; a sample holding portion that holds a sample such that the sample contacts the non flexible film; an incident optical system that causes the excitation light beam to enter an interface between the dielectric block and the metal film through the dielectric block such that conditions for total internal reflection are satisfied; and fluorescence detecting means, for directly detecting fluorescence emitted by a substance within the sample, which is excited by evanescent waves that leak from the interface when the excitation light beam enters the interface, wherein the fluorescence detecting means is provided on a side of the interface in contact with the sample and provided above the sample holding portion.