Stefani, F. D.Vasilev, K.Bocchio, N. L.Stoyanova, N.Kreiter, M.2010-04-062010-04-062010-04-06200510.1103/PhysRevLett.94.023005https://infoscience.epfl.ch/handle/20.500.14299/49146We demonstrate that fluorescence of single molecules in the nanometric vicinity of a thin gold film can be effectively excited and detected through the film with an epi-illumination scanning confocal micro- scope. A full theoretical treatment of the fluorescence signal indicates that both excitation and emission are surface-plasmon mediated. Remarkably, the number of photons detectable from chromophores perpendicular to the interface is enhanced by the presence of the metal.text::journal::journal article::research article