An article such as an EUV lithography reticle is inspected to detect contaminant particles. The method comprises applying a fluorescent dye material to the article, illuminating the article with radiation at wavelengths suitable for exciting the fluorescent dye, monitoring the article for emission of second radiation by the fluorescent dye at a wavelength different from the first radiation, and generating a signal representing contamination in the event of detecting the second radiation. In one example, measures such as low-affinity coatings may be applied to the reticle to reduce affinity for the dye molecules, while the dye molecules will bind by physical or chemical adsorption to the contaminant particles. Dyes may be selected to have fluorescence behavior enhanced by hydrophobicity or hydrophilicity, and contaminant surfaces treated by buffer coatings accordingly.