Explains the principles and current thinking behind plasmon enhanced Fluorescence Describes the current developments in Surface Plasmon Enhanced, Coupled and Controlled Fluorescence Details methods used to understand solar energy conversion, detect and quantify DNA more quickly and accurately, and enhance the timeliness and accuracy of digital immunoassays Contains contributions by the world’s leading scientists in the area of fluorescence and plasmonics Describes detailed experimental procedures for developing both surfaces and nanoparticles for applications in metal-enhanced fluorescence

Discover how metal-enhanced fluorescence is changing traditional concepts of fluorescence This book collects and analyzes all the current trends, opinions, and emerging hot topics in the field of metal-enhanced fluorescence (MEF). Readers learn how this emerging technology enhances the utility of current fluorescence-based approaches. For example, MEF can be used to better detect and track specific molecules that may be present in very low quantities in either clinical samples or biological systems. Author Chris Geddes, a noted pioneer in the field, not only explains the fundamentals of metal-enhanced fluorescence, but also the significance of all the most recent findings and models in the field. Metal-enhanced fluorescence refers to the use of metal colloids and nanoscale metallic particles in fluorescence systems. It offers researchers the opportunity to modify the basic properties of fluorophores in both near- and far-field fluorescence formats. Benefits of metal-enhanced fluorescence compared to traditional fluorescence include: Increased efficiency of fluorescence emission Increased detection sensitivity Protect against fluorophore photobleaching Applicability to almost any molecule, including both intrinsic and extrinsic chromophores Following a discussion of the principles and fundamentals, the author examines the process and applications of metal-enhanced fluorescence. Throughout the book, references lead to the primary literature, facilitating in-depth investigations into particular topics. Guiding readers from the basics to state-of-the-technology applications, this book is recommended for all chemists, physicists, and biomedical engineers working in the field of fluorescence.

Fluorescence imaging offers high spatio-temporal resolution, low radiation dosage exposure, and low cost among all the available imaging modalities, for example, magnetic resonance imaging, computerized tomography and positron emission tomography. Imaging probes of high emissivity and photostability are the key to achieving fluorescence imaging with high signal-to-background ratio (SBR). One promising approach to developing highly bright and stable imaging probes is through surface plasmon enhanced fluorescence. In the first part of the thesis, we develop a fluorescent probe with high site-specificity and emission efficiency by exploiting the targeting-specificity of M13 virus and co-assembling plasmonic nanoparticles and visible dye molecules on the viral capsid. Practical factors controlling fluorescence enhancement, such as nanoparticle size and dye-to-nanoparticle distance, are studied in this project. Lastly, the highly fluorescent probe is applied for in vitro staining of E. coli. The methodology in this work is amendable to developing a wide range of affinity-targeted fluorescent probes using biotemplates. Compared to visible and near infrared spectrum, short-wave infrared (SWIR, 900-1700 nm) spectrum promises high spatial resolution and deep tissue penetration for fluorescence imaging of biological system, owning to low tissue autofluorescence and suppressed tissue scattering at progressively longer wavelengths. In the second part of the thesis, a bright SWIR imaging probe consisting of small SWIR dyes and gold nanorods is developed for in vivo imaging. Fluorescence enhancement is optimized by tuning the dye density on the gold nanorod surface. The SWIR imaging probes are applied for in vivo imaging of ovarian cancer. The effect of targeting modality on intratumor distribution of the imaging probes is studied in two different orthotopic ovarian cancer models. Lastly, we demonstrate that the plasmon enhanced SWIR imaging probe has great potential for fluorescence imaging-guided surgery by showing its capability to detect submillimeter-sized tumors. Apart from enhancing the SWIR down-conversion emission above, surface plasmon enhanced SWIR up-conversion emission is another promising approach to achieving "autofluorescence-free" imaging with minimal tissue scattering. In the third part of the thesis, we use gold nanorods to enhance the up-conversion emission of small SWIR dyes. The mechanism of surface plasmon enhanced up-conversion emission is studied. The up-conversion fluorescence shows much higher SBR than down-conversion fluorescence in non-scatting biological solution and scatting medium. Lastly, we demonstrate in vivo imaging for the first-time using SWIR up-conversion fluorescence with exceptional image contrast.

During recent years our enthusiasm for this field has continually increased. This book presents expert contributions describing the fundamental principles for the widespread use of radiative decay engineering in the biological sciences and nanotechnology.

Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) plays a dominant role in real-time interaction sensing of biomolecular binding events, this book provides a total system description including optics, fluidics and sensor surfaces for a wide researcher audience.

Considered a major field of photonics, plasmonics offers the potential to confine and guide light below the diffraction limit and promises a new generation of highly miniaturized photonic devices. This book combines a comprehensive introduction with an extensive overview of the current state of the art. Coverage includes plasmon waveguides, cavities for field-enhancement, nonlinear processes and the emerging field of active plasmonics studying interactions of surface plasmons with active media.