EXAMINATION METHOD AND SENSOR

摘要

This invention provides an examination method whereby cell membranes in a biological material can be examined using optics that do not require rigorously precise design. Said examination method, which is used to examine specimens containing cell membranes, has the following steps: a step (a) in which a light-intensifying element that has a substrate, an intensifying-electromagnetic-field formation layer in which a large number of separate metal microparticles are dispersed across the surface of the substrate, and a protective layer formed on top of the substrate and the intensifying-electromagnetic-field formation layer is prepared; a step (b) in which a specimen to be examined is placed on the top surface of the protective layer; a step (c) in which the light-intensifying element is exposed to excitation light; and a step (d) in which light emitted from the specimen is received and the emission spectrum thereof is measured.