Patent ID: 8105819

Claim:
A structure for augmenting fluorescent emission from fluorescent molecules comprising: a substrate, a first enhancing layer coating all or part of the surface of the substrate, the first enhancing layer comprising a first nanostructured film of electrically-conductive material disposed above the substrate, the nanostructured film having surface features with a diameter of less than about 300 nm, an optional aqueous impervious layer, the aqueous impervious layer sealing the first nanostructured film layer against contact with aqueous solutions, a first spacer layer disposed over and attached to the optional aqueous impervious layer if said aqueous impervious layer is used or attached directly to the nanostructured film if the optional aqueous impervious layer is not used, a second nanostructured film of electrically-conductive material disposed above the spacer layer, the second nanostructured film having surface features with a diameter of less than about 300 nm, the second nanostructured film being optically less dense than the first nanostructured film, an optional second spacer layer deposited above the second nanostructured film, and an optional binding layer disposed above and attached to the second spacer layer, the binding layer capable of binding with a fluorescent compound or a biomolecule.