Abstract: Methods and apparatus for fluorescence detection which can increase sensitivity by as much as 20 to 1000-fold are described. This method can preferably also decrease the contribution of sample autofluorescence to the detected signal. The method uses coupling of excited fluorophores with the surface plasmon resonance present in thin conductive films, for example silver, gold, aluminum, copper, or the like. The phenomenon of surface plasmon-coupled emission (SPCE) occurs for fluorophores in a volume adjacent to the conductive layer. This interaction is independent of the mode of excitation, that is, does not require evanescent wave or surface-plasmon excitation. However, such modes of excitation can be advantageous. SPCE can occur over a narrow angular distribution, converting normally isotropic emission into easily collected directional emission.