A high sensitive fiber SERS probe based on silver nanorod arrays

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Materials Science
• Spectroscopy

Background:

• Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) offers high sensitivity for molecular detection.
• Developing portable and field-deployable SERS sensors is crucial for real-time analysis.
• Existing SERS probes often lack portability or require complex sample preparation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a portable fiber SERS probe for sensitive and in-situ chemical detection.
• To optimize the SERS signal using a specifically designed incident angle.
• To demonstrate the probe's capability for detecting trace amounts of molecules in aqueous solutions.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a silver (Ag) nanorod array using oblique angle deposition.
• Integration of the Ag nanorod array into a fiber optic probe.
• Utilizing a 45-degree incident angle for laser focusing to maximize SERS signal.
• Employing a fiber Raman system for detection and analysis.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated high sensitivity for detecting trans-1, 2- bis(4-pyridyl)ethane molecules down to 10(-17) moles.
• Successfully performed in-situ measurements of samples in aqueous solution.
• Achieved significant signal enhancement due to the Ag nanorod array and optimized geometry.

Conclusions:

• The developed portable fiber SERS probe is effective for highly sensitive molecular detection.
• The probe shows great potential as a remote and on-site sensor for biological and chemical analysis.
• The fabrication method and design enable practical applications in various field detection scenarios.