Metal-enhanced phosphorescence: interpretation in terms of triplet-coupled radiating plasmons.

We report our detailed metal-enhanced phosphorescence (MEP) findings using Rose Bengal at low temperature. Silver Island Films (SiFs) in close proximity to Rose Bengal significantly enhance the phosphorescence emission intensity. In this regard, a 5-fold brighter phosphorescence intensity of Rose Bengal was observed from SiFs as compared to a glass control sample at 77 K. In addition, several factors affecting MEP, such as distance dependence and silver film morphology, were also investigated. Our findings suggest that both singlet and triplet states can couple to surface plasmons and enhance both fluorescence and phosphorescence yields. This finding suggests that MEP can be used to promote triplet-based assays, such as those used in photodynamic therapy.