Visualization of surface electromagnetic waves in one-dimensional photonic crystal by fluorescence dye

The Rhodamine 6G fluorescence enhanced by the surface electromagnetic waves coupled on surface of 1D photonic crystals is studied. The fluorescence- mediated surface electromagnetic waves (SEW) distribution is visualized by means of far-field fluorescence microscopy. The kinetics of Rhodamine 6G bleaching due to SEW is studied. The way of SEW visualization in reflectivity spectra via fluorescence process is shown. The prospective for SEW application in the optical sensors field is tested via direct spectroscopy of the photonic crystal covered by the ethanol and R6G thin film. Spectral flexibility of the SEW excitation depending on the effective photonic crystal dispersion controlled by its design rather than on material dispersion opens prospectives for the application of SEW-enhanced fluorescence microscopy in biocensing with increased spatial and concentration sensitivity and spectral selectivity. © 2009 SPIE