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Molecules in the mirror: how SERS backgrounds arise from the quantum method of images.


Type

Article

Change log

Authors

Barnett, Stephen M 
Harris, Nadine 
Baumberg, Jeremy J 

Abstract

The Raman coupling of light to molecular vibrations is strongly modified when they are placed near a plasmonic metal surface, with the appearance of a strong broad continuum background in addition to the normal surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) peaks. Using a quantum method of images approach, we produce a simple but quantitative explanation of the inevitable presence of the background, due to the resistive damping of the image molecule. This model thus suggests new strategies for enhancing the SERS peak to background ratio.

Description

Keywords

Metals, Quantum Theory, Spectrum Analysis, Raman, Surface Properties

Journal Title

Phys Chem Chem Phys

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

1463-9076
1463-9084

Volume Title

Publisher

Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)
Sponsorship
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EP/G060649/1)
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EP/K028510/1)
This work was supported by UK EPSRC EP/C511786/1, EP/F011393, ERC 320503 LINASS, EU CUBIHOLES, 3M, the Royal Society and the Wolfson Foundation.