Here, we perform a Surface-Enhanced Fluorescence (SEF) intensity and lifetime imaging study on linear arrays of silver half-shells (LASHSs), a class of polarization-sensitive hybrid colloidal photonic–plasmonic crystal unexplored previously in SEF. By combining fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy, scanning confocal fluorescence imaging, Rayleigh scattering imaging, optical microscopy, and finite difference time domain simulations, we identify with high accuracy the spatial locations where SEF effects (intensity increase and lifetime decrease) take place. These locations are the junctions/crevices between adjacent half-shells in the LASHS and locations of high electromagnetic field enhancement and strong emitter–plasmon interactions, as confirmed also by simulated field maps. Such detailed knowledge of the distributed SEF enhancements and lifetime modification distribution, with respect to topography, should prove useful for improved future evaluations of SEF enhancement factors and a more rational design of efficiency-optimized SEF substrates. These linear arrays of metal-coated microspheres expand the family of hybrid colloidal photonic–plasmonic crystals, platforms with potential for applications in optoelectronic devices, fluorescence-based (bio)chemical sensing, or medical assays. In particular, due to the polarized optical response of these LASHSs, specific applications such as hidden tags for anti-counterfeiting or plasmon-enhanced photodetection can be foreseen.
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28 October 2020
Research Article|
October 22 2020
Surface-enhanced fluorescence imaging on linear arrays of plasmonic half-shells
Special Collection:
Spectroscopy and Microscopy of Plasmonic Systems
Cosmin Farcau
;
Cosmin Farcau
a)
1
National Institute for Research and Development of Isotopic and Molecular Technologies
, 67-103 Donat Str., 400293 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
2
Institute for Interdisciplinary Research in Bio-Nano-Sciences, Babes-Bolyai University
, 42 T. Laurian, 400271 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
a)Author to whom correspondence should be addressed: cfarcau@itim-cj.ro
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Ana-Maria Craciun
;
Ana-Maria Craciun
2
Institute for Interdisciplinary Research in Bio-Nano-Sciences, Babes-Bolyai University
, 42 T. Laurian, 400271 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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Renaud A. L. Vallée
Renaud A. L. Vallée
3
Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, Centre de Recherche Paul Pascal
, UMR 5031, 33600 Pessac, France
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a)Author to whom correspondence should be addressed: cfarcau@itim-cj.ro
Note: This paper is part of the JCP Special Topic on Spectroscopy and Microscopy of Plasmonic Systems.
J. Chem. Phys. 153, 164701 (2020)
Article history
Received:
July 15 2020
Accepted:
October 08 2020
Citation
Cosmin Farcau, Ana-Maria Craciun, Renaud A. L. Vallée; Surface-enhanced fluorescence imaging on linear arrays of plasmonic half-shells. J. Chem. Phys. 28 October 2020; 153 (16): 164701. https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0021906
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