Optimization of 3D Layered Metal-Dielectric Stacks (MDS) for Near-Field Fluorescence Imaging

P.S. Tan[1], K. Elsayad[2], K. Heinze[1]
[1]Rudolf Virchow Center, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
[2]Research Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP), Vienna, Austria
Published in 2013

Nano-structures consisting of layered metal-dielectric stacks (MDSs) can be designed to have evanescent transmission and reflection coefficients that oscillate as a function of transverse wavevector and frequency. However, these structures always suffer from the material losses and surface roughness that are detrimental to image reconstruction. As such, we propose an optimized planar anisotropic structure composed of alternating metal and dielectric. We present simulations that suggest the feasibility of imaging a fluorescent source through MDSs. The realization and application of such nanostructure with the specified design is possible using current advanced nanofabrication techniques. When integrated with a sub-wavelength grating structure, microsphere or a fast near-field scanning probe, it could provide a means for fast fluorescent imaging with sub-diffraction limit resolution.

Download