Abstract

Raman spectroscopy has attracted considerable attention in analytical measurements but lacks the sensitivity due to low scattering cross section. However, surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) has brought both specificity and sensitivity on the same platform. The specificity in SERS technique is largely owing to the unique vibrational frequency of the molecules giving rise to finger print like spectra. Sensitivity, however, is tailored from electric field enhancement in plasmonic nanostructure and fabrication of nanostructure for a specific wavelength. Control of size, shape of suitable plasmonic material and there by excitation of localized surface plasmon resonance of a metal nanoparticle or nanostructured surface is essential in understanding the fundamental process of SERS. Optical property of the surrounding medium has profound effect on the plasmonic response of the metal nanoparticles. Such type of interaction in SERS substrates, associated to plasmon-substrate interaction, brings out simple yet effective method to fabricate SERS substrate.

© 2017 Japan Society of Applied Physics, Optical Society of America