Proof of Single-Molecule Sensitivity in Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) by Means of a Two-Analyte Technique

作者：Eric C. Le Ru, Matthias Meyer, P. Etchegoin · 发表于：The Journal of Physical Chemistry B · 年份：2006 · DOI：10.1021/jp054732v · 被引用次数：553 · 研究领域：Gold and Silver Nanoparticles Synthesis and Applications、Electrochemical Analysis and Applications、Spectroscopy Techniques in Biomedical and Chemical Research

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.