Imaging surface plasmon of gold nanoparticle arrays by far-field Raman scattering

We present Raman spectra and Raman images of the methylene blue molecule adsorbed as a single layer on gold nanoparticles regularly arranged in periodic arrays. Spectra and images are recorded in the same spatial and spectral regions using an excitation under total internal reflection. Images of the Raman scattering appear as spots of circular shape located at the particle positions with size defined by the diffraction limit. It appears that all excited particles contribute equally to the Raman signal if the Gaussian intensity distribution of the laser beam is taken into account. These results demonstrate that Raman scattering can be a useful technique to study plasmon properties.