Development of a candidate reference sample for the characterization of tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy spatial...

Area of Science:

• Nanotechnology and Materials Science
• Spectroscopy and Chemical Analysis

Background:

• Tip-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (TERS) combines Scanning Probe Microscopy (SPM) and Localized Surface Plasmon Resonance (LSPR) for nanoscale chemical and topographic analysis.
• Accurate quantification of spatial resolution in TERS is crucial but lacks established calibration standards.

Purpose of the Study:

• To fabricate a candidate reference sample for TERS calibration.
• To evaluate the feasibility of this sample as a TERS standard.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a gold surface with a nanometric grating of self-assembled Raman-active organic molecules.
• Utilized optimized Electron Beam Lithography (EBL) for precise pattern replication.
• Tested the sample's utility using Scanning Tunneling Microscopy-TERS (STM-TERS) imaging.

Main Results:

• Successfully fabricated a nanostructured sample suitable for TERS calibration.
• Demonstrated the sample's feasibility as a TERS standard through STM-TERS imaging.
• The fabricated grating replicated established SPM calibration standards.

Conclusions:

• The developed nanostructured sample shows promise as a TERS calibration standard.
• This work contributes to the standardization of TERS measurements, enabling more reliable nanoscale chemical analysis.
• Further validation may lead to widespread adoption for TERS instrument calibration.