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Review of Advances in Metal-Enhanced Fluorescence

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Reviews in Plasmonics 2017

Part of the book series: Reviews in Plasmonics ((RIP,volume 2017))

Abstract

In this chapter, we review principles of metal-enhanced fluorescence (MEF), including critical experimental support for the Unified Plasmon-Fluorophore description for the mechanism of MEF. By this description, two routes of enhancement exist for a fluorophore coupled with a metal nanoparticle: namely enhanced absorption and enhanced emission. Literature reports included in this chapter describe the characteristics of a coupled system that influence the efficiency of MEF, including: nanoparticle morphology, distance dependence, the excitation volume effect (EVE) to name but just a few. Reported changes in the photophysical properties of free-space fluorophores, namely improved quantum yields and photostability, for these optimized systems establish MEF as a highly competitive technology for multifarious applications. Subsequently, various applications for MEF systems are highlighted, including MEF-based immunodiagnostics, bioluminescence assays, and the potential for MEF in photodynamic therapy. MEF can also find utility in the development of fluorescence-based electronics as a substitute for potentially toxic quantum dot technologies. Herein we include an effective overview of its principles and a glimpse into prospective advantages of MEF in application.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Institute of Fluorescence, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, 701 E. Pratt St, Baltimore, MD, 21202, USA

    Rachael Knoblauch & Chris D. Geddes

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  1. Rachael Knoblauch
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Correspondence to Chris D. Geddes .

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  1. Institute of Fluorescence, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD, USA

    Chris D. Geddes

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Knoblauch, R., Geddes, C.D. (2019). Review of Advances in Metal-Enhanced Fluorescence. In: Geddes, C. (eds) Reviews in Plasmonics 2017. Reviews in Plasmonics, vol 2017. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-18834-4_10

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