Exploring the surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) activity of gold nanostructures embedded around nanogaps at wafer scale: Simulations and experiments

A unique way of converting free space light into a local electromagnetic field in small spaces is via metallic nanostructuring. In this work fabrication, experimental characterization and simulation of surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) active specimens based on Au nanostructures are discussed...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Lafuente, Marta, Muñoz, Pablo, Berenschot, Erwin J. W., Tiggelaar, Roald M., Susarrey-Arce, Arturo, Rodrigo, Sergio G., Kooijman, Lucas J., García-Blanco, Sonia M., Mallada, Reyes, Pina, María Pilar, Tas, Niels R.
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2023
País:España
Institución:Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)
Repositorio:DIGITAL.CSIC. Repositorio Institucional del CSIC
OAI Identifier:oai:digital.csic.es:10261/343578
Acceso en línea:http://hdl.handle.net/10261/343578
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Ordered nano-wedges
Size-controllable nanogaps
FDTD simulations
Ordered symmetric and asymmetric nanostructures
Ion beam etching (IBE)
Gold sputtering
Descripción
Sumario:A unique way of converting free space light into a local electromagnetic field in small spaces is via metallic nanostructuring. In this work fabrication, experimental characterization and simulation of surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) active specimens based on Au nanostructures are discussed. We used displacement Talbot lithography (DTL) to fabricate silicon nano-wedge substrates with Au nanostructures embedded around their apices. After the ion beam etching process, a nanogap is introduced between two Au nanostructures templated over nano-wedges, yielding specimens with SERS characteristics. The Au nanostructures and the nanogaps have symmetric and asymmetric configurations with respect to the wedges. With this nanofabrication method, various wafer-scale specimens were fabricated with highly controllable nanogaps with a size in the order of 6 nm for symmetric gaps and 8 nm for asymmetric gaps. SERS characteristics of these specimens were analyzed experimentally by calculating their analytical enhancement factor (AEF). According to finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) simulations, the Raman enhancement arises at the narrow gap due to plasmonic resonances, yielding a maximum AEF of 6.9 × 106. The results highlight the SERS activity of the nanostructures and ultimately comply with reliable substrates for practical applications.