An object of the present invention relates to detecting a target substance
with high contrast. The invention relates to analysis of a target
substance using a light-transmitting substrate and a metal for inducing
plasmon resonance, and further using a low refractive index layer with an
opening portion, which forms an interface with the substrate, and which
has a lower refractive index than the substrate. Light emitted from a
substrate side is totally reflected at the interface to irradiate the
metal arranged in the opening portion with evanescent light. Light
generated from the target substance by plasmon resonance of the
evanescent light is detected. According to the invention, the radiation
of evanescent light to a martial other than the target substance can be
reduced, and thereby light emission from the martial other than the
target substance, e.g., a molecule floating around the target substance,
can be reduced.