Fluorescence intensities of chromophores in front of a thin metal film

The fluorescence intensity from a planar multilayered system with a chromophore separated from a gold film by a dielectric spacer is measured quantitatively. The direction of excitation and the spacer thickness are varied and the angular distribution of the emission is recorded as well as its polarization. The experimental data are compared to the predictions obtained from classical electromagnetic theory, taking into account the refractive indices of the layer system as well as the nonradiative decay rate and the relative orientation of absorption and emission dipole moments of the dye. Excellent agreement is found for a spacer thickness above 15 nm if proper values for these parameters are used. Samples with thinner spacer layers show significant deviations from classical theory.