Letter abstract


Nature Nanotechnology 1, 126 - 130 (2006)
Published online: 3 November 2006 | doi:10.1038/nnano.2006.93

Subject Categories: Photonic structures and devices | Surface patterning and imaging

Metal-enhanced fluorescence of colloidal nanocrystals with nanoscale control

P. P. Pompa1, L. Martiradonna1, A. Della Torre1, F. Della Sala1, L. Manna1, M. De Vittorio1, F. Calabi1, R. Cingolani1 & R. Rinaldi1


Engineering the spectral properties of fluorophores, such as the enhancement of luminescence intensity, can be achieved through coupling with surface plasmons in metallic nanostructures1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11. This process, referred to as metal-enhanced fluorescence, offers promise for a range of applications, including LEDs, sensor technology, microarrays and single-molecule studies. It becomes even more appealing when applied to colloidal semiconductor nanocrystals, which exhibit size-dependent optical properties, have high photochemical stability, and are characterized by broad excitation spectra and narrow emission bands12. Other approaches have relied upon the coupling of fluorophores (typically organic dyes) to random distributions of metallic nanoparticles or nanoscale roughness in metallic films1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8. Here, we develop a new strategy based on the highly reproducible fabrication of ordered arrays of gold nanostructures coupled to CdSe/ZnS nanocrystals dispersed in a polymer blend. We demonstrate the possibility of obtaining precise control and a high spatial selectivity of the fluorescence enhancement process.

Top
  1. National Nanotechnology Laboratory of CNR-INFM, IIT Research Unit, ISUFI, University of Lecce, Via per Arnesano, 73100 Lecce, Italy

Correspondence to: P. P. Pompa1 e-mail: piero.pompa@unile.it

MORE ARTICLES LIKE THIS

These links to content published by NPG are automatically generated.


Extra navigation

Subscribe to Nature Nanotechnology

Subscribe

Open Innovation Challenges

  • Corrosion Inhibitor

    • Deadline: Aug 19 2009
    • Reward: $10,000 USD

    The Seeker is looking for inhibitors of corrosion. This Challenge requires only a written descripti...

  • Mitigating Zinc Corrosion

    • Deadline: Aug 23 2009
    • Reward: $20,000 USD

    The Seeker is looking for novel methods to mitigate zinc corrosion/gassing in alkaline media. This ...

naturejobs

natureproducts


ADVERTISEMENT