Metal-Enhanced Fluorescence From Zinc Substrates Can Lead To Spectral Distortion And A Wavelength Dependence

Metal-enhanced fluorescence enhancement factors up to 7-fold have been observed for Basic Fuchsin (BF) in close proximity to Zinc nano particulate substrates. In addition, the emission spectra of BF close-to Zinc as compared to a control sample are heavily distorted, particularly on the red-edge, giving systematic trends in enhancement, anywhere from 3- to 7-fold. We discuss these remarkable wavelength dependent effects with regard to the mechanism of metal-enhanced fluorescence. (C) 2015 AIP Publishing LLC.