Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 10, 2026

Determination of the Excitation and Coupling Rates Between Light Emitters and Surface Plasmon Polaritons
Published on: July 21, 2018
Surface Plasmon-Coupled Ultraviolet Emission of 2,5-Diphenyl-1,3,4-oxadiazole
Joanna Malicka1, Ignacy Gryczynski, Zygmunt Gryczynski
1Center for Fluorescence Spectroscopy, University of Maryland at Baltimore, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 725 West Lombard Street, Baltimore, Maryland 2120.
Abstract:
We studied surface plasmon-coupled emission (SPCE) of 2,5-diphenyl-1,3,4-oxadiazole (PPD) using a 20 nm aluminum film deposited on a quartz substrate. The directional SPCE UV fluorescence occurs within a narrow angle at 57° from the normal to the coupling hemicylindrical prism. This radiation is almost completely p-polarized, consistent with its origin from surface plasmons. These surface plasmons are induced by excited PPD molecules. The coupling of excited fluorophore dipoles with the aluminum is highly efficient, exceeding 50%. Different fluorescence emission wavelengths are emitted at slightly different angles on the prism, providing intrinsic spectral resolution. SPCE fluorescence on thin aluminum films can be used with many UV absorbing and emitting fluorophores.
Related Concept Videos
UV–Vis Spectroscopy of Conjugated Systems
One of the factors influencing λmax is the extent of conjugation in the...
UV–Vis Spectroscopy: Molecular Electronic Transitions
Ultraviolet and Visible (UV–Vis) Spectroscopy: Overview
Photochemical Electrocyclic Reactions: Stereochemistry
Selection Rules: Photochemical Activation
UV–Vis Spectrometers
