Abstract

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) is a technique to increase Raman signals by factors up to ~10¹⁴ for the detection of target analytes adsorbed on metallic nanostructures with high sensitivity and selectivity. The enhancement of Raman scattering intensity in SERS is mainly attributed to intensified electromagnetic fields on metallic nanostructures when the incoming light excites their surface plasmons. The localized regions with intensified electric fields, so called “hot spots”, exist in narrow gaps between metal nanoparticles or on the sharp edges of metallic nanostructures. Although lots of strategies have been suggested to fabricate SERS platforms with highly-sensitive hot spots, it is a big challenge to fabricate reliable SERS platforms with strong SERS enhancements for practical applications in ultrasensitive chemical sensors.

© 2013 Optical Society of America