Self-amplification of supercritical angle fluorescence using multiple emitters at a dielectric-dielectric interface.

Abstract

Super-critical angle fluorescence (SAF) generated from an ensemble of emitters overlying a high-contrast dielectric-dielectric interface is discussed. At increased excitation, signatures of self-amplification of the SAF were observed, which differed from the emission properties of normal fluorescence generated within the critical angle. Contrasting behavior was observed between the SAF and normal fluorescence with respect to bandwidth narrowing for varying gain lengths. Power-law variation was recovered for the peak intensity as a function of excitation energy. Upon disturbance of pristine conditions of the interface, the signatures of the self-amplified SAF were lost.