Surface-plasmon-enhanced fluorescence from periodic quantum dot arrays through distancecontrol using biomolecular linkers

Abstract

We have developed a protein-enabled strategy to fabricate quantum dot (QD) nanoarrayswhere up to a 15-fold increase in surface-plasmon-enhanced fluorescence has been achieved.This approach permits a comprehensive control both laterally (via lithographically definedgold nanoarrays) and vertically (via the QD–metal distance) of the collectively behavingassemblies of QDs and gold nanoarrays by way of biomolecular recognition. Specifically, wedemonstrated the spectral tuning of plasmon resonant metal nanoarrays and self-assemblyof protein-functionalized QDs in a stepwise fashion with a concomitant incrementalincrease in separation from the metal surface through biotin–streptavidin spacer units.