Surface enhanced Raman scattering from mildly roughened surfaces: variation of signal with metal grain size

P. Dawson, J. W. Haas, K. B. Alexander, J. Thompson, T. L. Ferrell

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

14 Scopus citations

Abstract

The intensity of surface enhanced Raman scattering from benzoic acid derivatives on mildly roughened, thermally evaporated Ag films shows a remarkably strong dependence on metal grain size. Large grained (slowly deposited) films give a superior response, by up to a factor of 10, to small grained (quickly deposited) films, with films of intermediate grain size yielding intermediate results. The optical field amplification underlying the enhancement mechanism is due to the excitation of surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs). Since surface roughness characteristics, as determined by STM, remain relatively constant as a function of deposition rate, it is argued that the contrast in Raman scattering is due to differences in elastic grain boundary scattering of SPPs (leading to different degrees of internal SPP damping), rather than differences in the interaction of SPPs with surface inhomogeneities.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)L383-L388
JournalSurface Science
Volume250
Issue number1-3
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 2 1991

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Surfaces and Interfaces
  • Surfaces, Coatings and Films
  • Materials Chemistry

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