Cunningham The proposal describes a basic design for a 2-dimensional surface photonic crystal and shows how such a structure provides high Q-factor optical resonances with enhanced near fields at a precisely defined wavelength. Using devices designed for excitation of the fluorophore Cy5 or for semiconductor quantum dots, they propose characterization of the enhanced excitation effects spatial distribution and the design/fabrication of structures with optimal capability to take advantage of enhanced excitation through higher Q and/or redistribution of the resonant modes. They propose to characterize the enhanced extraction effect using various geometrical arrangements of the photonic crystal lattice, and the development of materials and fabrication approaches resulting in optimal signal/noise. They plan to combine label-free photonic crystal biosensor detection with enhanced fluorescence on the same surface, enabling dual-mode imaging detection that can discriminate between labeled and non-labeled analytes.
