INSPECTION METHOD AND SENSOR

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an inspection method capable of inspecting a cell membrane of biological substance under an optical system dispensing with strictly accurate design.SOLUTION: The inspection method according to the present invention is an inspection method for a test piece including a cell membrane, the inspection method comprising the steps of: (a) preparing an optical enhancement element having a substrate, an enhanced electromagnetic field formation layer having a large number of metal particulates dispersedly arranged on the surface of the substrate independently of each other, and a protective layer formed on top of the substrate and the enhanced electromagnetic field formation layer; (b) placing a test piece to be inspected on the top surface of the protective layer; (c) irradiating the optical enhancement element with excitation light; and (d) receiving light emitted from the test piece and measuring an emission spectrum. 【課題】厳密な精度設計の不要な光学系の下で、生体物質の細胞膜の検査が可能な検査方法を提供する。【解決手段】 本発明の検査方法は、細胞膜を含む試験片の検査方法であって、基板と、基板の表面上に互いに独立して多数の金属微粒子が分散配置された増強電磁場形成層と、基板及び増強電磁場形成層の上層に形成された保護層とを有する光増強素子を準備する工程（ａ）、保護層の上面に検査対象となる試験片を載置する工程（ｂ）、光増強素子に励起光を照射する工程（ｃ）、及び、試験片からの発光を受光して発光スペクトルを測定する工程（ｄ）を有する。【選択図】 図２