Raman Spectroscopy Analysis of Surfaces

Dear Colleagues,

For many decades, Raman spectroscopy has not been considered a useful analytical tool because of the very low efficiency of “normal” Raman scattering. The typical total Raman scattering cross-section is ca. 10⁻²⁹ cm² per molecule, whereas typical cross-sections for absorption in ultraviolet and infrared regions are ca. 10⁻¹⁸ and 10⁻²¹ cm² per molecule, respectively. Therefore, to record conventional Raman spectra, analytical concentrations greater than 0.01M are usually required. However, by utilizing special nano-resonators constructed from plasmonic metals, Raman scattering cross-sections (in an effect called surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy—SERS) can be significantly increased, e.g., to 10⁻¹⁴ cm² per molecule, making possible observations of Raman spectra even of a single molecule. This Special Issue of Molecules will attempt to cover the recent advances in SERS analysis of surfaces, including the characterization of various interfaces and selected analytical applications of SERS spectroscopy. 

Dr. Andrzej Kudelski
Guest Editor

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