We have recently demonstrated that a new form of near field scanning optical microscopy based on a small (e.g. 35 nm diameter)Ag sphere, excited at its plasmon resonant frequency, can achieve sub-wavelength magnetic Kerr imaging. We propose to develop a suitably modified microscope based on these Ag plasmon resonators, but specifically optimized for high resolution fluorescence imaging. We believe that the detection of individual fluorophores with near molecular resolution may be possible. Example are given of exciting new opportunities in bio-medical research that will become practicable when our new microscope is operative.
