Proof of single-molecule sensitivity in surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) by means of a two-analyte technique.
A method is proposed to pin down unambiguous proof for single-molecule sensitivity in surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). The simultaneous use of two analyte molecules enables a clear confirmation of the single (or few)-molecule nature of the signals. This method eliminates most of the uncertainties associated with low dye concentrations in previous experiments. It further shows that single- or few-molecule signals are very common in SERS, both in liquids and on dry substrates.
Le Ru
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MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology, School of Chemical and Physical Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, P.O. Box 600, Wellington, New Zealand. Eric.LeR@vuw.ac.nz
Meyer
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Etchegoin
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