Shape and deposition angle control of silver film-over-nanosphere SERS substrates.

Thin metallic films on dielectric nanospheres are demonstrated to have a high potential for the fabrication of cost-effective SERS substrates. In addition to the morphological advantages that nanospheres offer for attaining a high density of hot spots, possessing shape adjustability by uncomplicated thermal treatment makes them an attractive platform for tuneable SERS substrates. Furthermore, when combined with the oblique angle metal deposition technique, adjustable gaps at a high density and adjustable shape of metal films, such as Ag films, can be achieved on nanospheres.