Refractive-index-sensitive, plasmon-resonant-scattering, and surface-enhanced Raman-scattering nanoparticles and arrays as biological sensing platforms

Abstract

The intense color of noble metal nanoparticles has inspired artists and fascinated scientists for hundreds of years. These rich hues are due to the interaction of light with the nanostructure's localized surface plasmon (LSPR). Here, we describe three optical sensing modalities that are dependant on the effects of the LSPR. Specifically, we will demonstrate the use of LSPR supporting particles as analogues to fluorescent probes and labels for multiplex detection, sensing based on observation of changes in the LSPR spectrum caused by alteration of the local refractive index upon analyte binding, and the spectroscopic labeling of cells and tissues with Surface Enhanced Raman Scatting (SERS) active nanoparticles probes.