Chapter 1 - A quick overview of surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy

Abstract

This chapter is aimed at complete newcomers looking for a broad map that will guide him/her toward more advanced studies and applications of surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). The SERS effect is about amplifying Raman signals (almost exclusively coming from molecules) by several orders of magnitude. The amplification of the signals in SERS comes (mainly) through the electromagnetic interaction of light with metals, which produces large amplifications of the laser field through excitations generally known as plasmon resonances. To profit from these, the molecules must typically be adsorbed on the metal surface, or at least be very close to it. The denomination SERS summarizes particularly well these three cornerstones of the effect. It discusses SERS effect in its historical context, and highlights its present status and future challenges. It also provides a brief overview of the content of the book, A Quick Overview of Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy, which provides a bird's eye view about the general principles and applications of SERS. It helps those who might be curious or interested in how the technique actually works in practice at a basic level. Furthermore, it suggests a reading plan that can cater to a wide variety of potential readers with different needs.