Abstract

I will describe recent experiments that demonstrate our ability to observe Raman scattering from molecules adsorbed on single crystal surfaces without requiring either surface or resonance enhancement. I will discuss the details of the experimental method, relevant selection rules, information obtainable from the angular distribution of the scattered radiation and some implications of our experiments regarding the mechanism of surface-enhanced Raman scattering. To illustrate the versatility of our method, examples will include studies of molecules adsorbed on metal and semiconductor surfaces in ultrahigh vacuum, in the presence of reactive gases at high pressures and in the electrochemical environment.

© 1985 Optical Society of America