Confocal surface-enhanced Raman microscopy

Confocal Surface-Enhanced Raman Microscopy at the Surface of Noble Metals... 

In the following, it will be demonstrated that confocal surface-enhanced Raman microscopy is a powerful tool for exploring optical and spectroscopic properties of molecules adsorbed on silver and gold nanoparticles. It is shown that confocal Raman microscopy coupled with high-resolution electron microscopy has the potential to deliver detailed information about the structure of points of high Raman intensity the so-called hot spots. 

Plieth W, Dietz H, Anders A, Sandmann G, Meixner A, Weber M, Kneppe H (2005) Electrochemical preparation of silver and gold nanoparticles characterization by confocal and surface enhanced Raman microscopy. Surf Sci 597 119... 

Fig. 8.1 Raman microspectroscopy as combination of surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy and confocal microscopy...

Silver and gold nanoparticles were generated electrochemically and investigated with confocal Raman microscopy. The combination of surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy with confocal microscopy accompanied by subsequent scanning electron microscopy provided an image of the geometrical stmcture of the Raman spots. 

The application of confocal Raman microscopy to surface Raman has led to some promising results for transition-metal surfaces that yield weak or negligible field enhancement. High-performance CCD detection provided high SNR, and the confocal sampling reduced the background from the solution or gas over the surface (22, 23). Metals such as platinum, rhodium, and ruthenium... 

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