Controllable nanofabrication of aggregate-like nanoparticle substrates and evaluation for surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy.

The development of new and better substrates is a major focus of research aimed at improving the analytical capabilities of surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). Perhaps the most common type of SERS substrate, one consistently exhibiting large enhancements, is simple colloidal gold or silver nanoparticles in the 10-150 nm size range. The colloidal systems that are used most for ultrasensitive detection are generally aggregated clusters that possess "hot spot(s)" within some of the aggregates.

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy substrates created via electron beam lithography and nanotransfer printing.

The development of quantitative, highly sensitive surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) substrates requires control over size, shape, and position of metal nanoparticles. Despite the fact that SERS has gained the reputation as an information-rich spectroscopy for detection of many classes of analytes, in some isolated instances down to the single molecule detection limit, its future development depends critically on techniques for nanofabrication. Herein, an unconventional nanofabrication approach is used to produce efficient SERS substrates.

Multiplexed microfluidic surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy.

Over the past few decades, surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) has garnered respect as an analytical technique with significant chemical and biological applications. SERS is important for the life sciences because it can provide trace level detection, a high level of structural information, and enhanced chemical detection. However, creating and successfully implementing a sensitive, reproducible, and robust SERS active substrate continues to be a challenging task.