Berlin 2012 – scientific programme
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MM: Fachverband Metall- und Materialphysik
MM 6: Mechanical Properties II
MM 6.5: Talk
Monday, March 26, 2012, 12:30–12:45, H 0106
Ultrasensitive detection of biomolecules using Al nanostructures as SERS substrates — •Shankar Kumar Jha1, Yasin Ekinci1,2, and Jörg F. Löffler1 — 1Laboratory of Metal Physics and Technology, Department of Materials, ETH Zurich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland — 2Paul Scherrer Institute, 5232 Villigen-PSI, Switzerland
Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) is an important technique for detecting molecules at low concentrations. The commonly used excitation sources are visible and near-infrared lasers since the frequently used SERS substrates support strong localized surface plasmon resonances (LSPR) at these wavelengths. Most of the biologically important molecules exhibit strong absorption in the deep-ultraviolet (DUV) wavelength region, giving rise to resonance Raman effect. Thus, apart from the increased Raman cross-sections and elimination of the prevalent fluorescence background, the use of DUV excitation would offer the possibility of combining the advantages of resonance Raman and SERS effects leading to surface-enhanced resonance Raman scattering (SERRS). We explore the use of designed aluminum nanoparticles as SERS substrates in the DUV region. The nanoparticle arrays fabricated over large areas using extreme-ultraviolet interference-lithography (EUV-IL) exhibit sharp and tunable LSPR in the UV and DUV wavelength ranges and allows for reproducible enhancement of Raman signal from molecules coated on these arrays. We demonstrate ultrasensitive and real-time analytical detection of biomolecules using these designed Al nanostructures as SERS substrates.