Fluorophore-Induced Plasmonic Current Generation from Aluminum Nanoparticle Films

In this paper we demonstrate fluorophore induced plasmonic current (FIPC) from aluminum nanoparticle films. It has been previously shown that near-field excited fluorophores are able to plasmonically couple with metal nanoparticle films (MNF's) and induce surface plasmons, which in turn leads to a direct measurable electrical current through the MNF. These currents have been detected and quantified in noble metal MNF's, however due to future envisioned cost considerations there has been a push to adapt FIPC for use with less expensive metals. Subsequently, we observe that plasmonic aluminum films are able to produce these current changes when in close proximity to excited fluorophores, and the magnitude of the current changes are respective to the magnitude of the extinction coefficients of the fluorophores themselves. These findings also further support recent literature reports showing the inverse relationship between metal-enhanced fluorescence (MEF) and FIPC.