Fluorescence enhancement using silver nanotriangle arrays

Abstract

We describe the fabrication of silver nanotriangle array using angle resolved nanosphere lithography and utilizing the same for enhancing fluorescence. The well established nanosphere lithography is modified by changing the angle of deposition between the nanosphere mask and the beam of silver being deposited resulting in nanotriangles of varying surface area and density. The 470 nm plasmon resonance wavelength of the substrate was determined using minimum reflectivity method which closely matches with excitation wavelength of the fluorophore. Ten times enhancement in fluorescence emission intensity is obtained from fluorescein isothiocyanate coated on top of silver nanotriangle array separated by a spacer layer of poly vinyl alcohol as compared to glass. The enhanced fluorescence emission is attributed to the increase in local field enhancement.