Surface enhanced fluorescence

TLDR

Fluorescence is widely used in optical devices, microscopy, biology, and medical research, yet achieving single‑molecule sensitivity remains difficult; surface‑enhanced fluorescence (SEF) improves detection efficiency by tailoring the local electromagnetic environment near emitters, with plasmonic surfaces and near‑field coupling playing key roles. This review focuses on recent advances in SEF mechanisms and highlights their most relevant applications. It examines how SEF mechanisms—particularly plasmonic surface modes—enhance fluorescence through near‑field coupling and electromagnetic environment control.

Abstract

Fluorescence is widely used in optical devices, microscopy imaging, biology, medical research and diagnosis. Improving fluorescence sensitivity, all the way to the limit of single-molecular detection needed in many applications, remains a great challenge. The technique of surface enhanced fluorescence (SEF) is based upon the design of surfaces in the vicinity of the emitter. SEF yields an overall improvement in the fluorescence detection efficiency through modification and control of the local electromagnetic environment of the emitter. Near-field coupling between the emitter and surface modes plays a crucial role in SEF. In particular, plasmonic surfaces with localized and propagating surface plasmons are efficient SEF substrates. Recent progress in tailoring surfaces at the nanometre scale extends greatly the realm of SEF applications. This review focuses on the recent advances in the different mechanisms involved in SEF, in each case highlighting the most relevant applications.