SERS observed in periodic metallo-dielectric nanostructures fabricated using coated colloidal crystals

Metallo-Dielectric Photonic Crystals for Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering

“…Other strategies for surface patterning of periodic noble metal nanostructures are also effective in improving SERS reproducibility, 11À14 although better control of particle size and density and dielectric properties of the surrounding medium are still needed for optimizing the EM characteristics on the surface. 15,16 On the whole, a precisely controlled pattern with submicrometer periodicity on a surface with tunable EM characteristics is needed for practical SERS applications.…”

“…Consequently, control of the shape, orientation, and self-assembly of nanoparticles is a major focus in current SERS studies. − One key challenge is to increase the volume fraction of the “hot-spot” region in the entire system, which generally is low and difficult to produce or predict reliably, which may lead to poor reproducibility of Raman signals. Other strategies for surface patterning of periodic noble metal nanostructures are also effective in improving SERS reproducibility, − although better control of particle size and density and dielectric properties of the surrounding medium are still needed for optimizing the EM characteristics on the surface. , On the whole, a precisely controlled pattern with submicrometer periodicity on a surface with tunable EM characteristics is needed for practical SERS applications.…”