ABSTRACT
The surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) effect involves localized surface plasmons (LSPs) to dramatically amplify Raman scattering when the analytes are on or near metallic nanostructures. The LSPs are associated with oscillating electrons generated when the metallic nanostructure surface is irradiated by an external electromagnetic (EM) field (e.g., a laser beam). Those LSPs within the conduction band oscillate at the same frequency as that of the incident light and produce a secondary EM field, which is added to the external EM field, resulting in surface plasmon resonance (SPR).
