Fluorescence detection: Gains in sensitivity

The biotechnology and medical diagnostics industries could soon benefit from a technique that promises enhanced sensitivity over conventional fluorescence detection methods. As such, surface-plasmon-coupled emission shows promise to expand its chemical and biological sensing applications. Surface plasmons are basically electron oscillations on the surface of metals-or, more specifically, in an interfacial region between a metal and a dielectric medium. Although usually nonradiative, they are the basis of surface plasmon resonance.