Fluorescence Patterning in Dye-Doped Sol−Gel Films by Generation of Gold Nanoparticles

Fluorescence micropatterns of rhodamine dye were fabricated in silica/titania sol−gel films by photogeneration of gold nanoparticles. Local reduction of Au(III) ions included in the film enabled us to selectively embed the particles using UV irradiation with a photomask, pulse laser shot, or AFM-assisted reaction. Fluorescence of doped rhodamine molecules, which was quenched by the Au(III) ions before reduction, was locally reactivated by generation of the Au nanoparticles.