Direct image of surface-plasmon-coupled emission by leakage radiation microscopy.

Leakage radiation microscopy (LRM) is used to directly image surface-plasmon-coupled emission (SPCE). When compared with the prism-based setup commonly used in SPCE research, LRM has the advantages of directly giving out the emitting direction without angle scanning, and the image generated of surface plasmon polariton (SPPs) propagation, which helps to understand the optical process of SPCE. LRM also can give a clearer SPCE image than that obtained by a prism-based setup. Based on the LRM, we find that the SPCE pattern and propagation of SPPs can be modified by the shape of PMMA films containing fluorescence molecules.