Enhancement Factors: A Central Concept during 50 Years of Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy

Eric C. Le Ru, Baptiste Auguié

2024ACS Nano159 citationsDOI

Abstract

In this Perspective, we provide an overview of the core concepts around surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) enhancement factors (EFs), including both theoretical and experimental considerations: EF definitions, the distinction between maximum and average EFs, EF distribution and hot-spot localization, EF measurement and its order of magnitude. We then highlight some of the current challenges in this field, focusing on a selection of topics that we feel are both topical and important: analyte-capture onto a SERS substrate, surface-enhanced resonant Raman scattering, orientation/tensorial effects, and nonradiative effects. We hope this Perspective can provide a platform to reflect on the past 50 years of SERS and its future.

Topics & Concepts

Raman spectroscopyRaman scatteringSubstrate (aquarium)Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopyMaterials scienceSurface (topology)SpectroscopyPerspective (graphical)Field (mathematics)NanotechnologyOrientation (vector space)Analytical Chemistry (journal)OpticsChemistryComputer sciencePhysicsArtificial intelligenceGeologyPure mathematicsMathematicsQuantum mechanicsOceanographyGeometryChromatographyGold and Silver Nanoparticles Synthesis and ApplicationsElectrochemical Analysis and ApplicationsSpectroscopy Techniques in Biomedical and Chemical Research