Arrays: Gap Size Reduction and Increased SERS Enhancement in Lithographically Patterned Nanoparticle Arrays by Templated Growth (Advanced Optical Materials 4/2013)

Abstract

Templated growth of gold nanostructures has been achieved by V. Merk et al. On page 313, lithographic patterning of nanoparticle arrays is followed by deposition and annealing of thin gold layers, promoting recrystallization and growth of the initially patterned particles and, consequently, a reduction of the interparticle spacing. This results in a strong local field enhancement of the incident illumination, evidenced by a significant increase in surface-enhanced Raman scattering. The lattice period of the array in the image is 75 nm.