Raman technology is based on the interaction of light with the chemical bonds of the target materials to produce a “chemical fingerprint” that, while highly specific, has very low intensity. To amplify these weak Raman signals, Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) uses patterned nanometallic substrates that create surface plasmon resonance that significantly enhances the Raman signal, typically by over a million-fold. The result is a surface that provides both high intensity and high specificity for SERS detection of trace amounts of chemical and biological materials. To date, use of high-performance SERS substrates has been limited due to high manufacturing costs, poor repeatability, and background contamination.

Recognizing the need for improved SERS substrates, we have utilized our existing proprietary nanofabrication technology to develop a library of analyte-specific SERS substrates that overcome all these limitations.

Benefits of MicroContinuum's SERS Substrate Series

  • Cost effective for medium- to high-volume applications, including R&D.
  • Provides high intensity and high specificity for SERS detection of trace amounts of chemical and biological materials
  • Offers various structures and customized patterns for specific applications.
  • Can be used stand-alone or mounted on a support, such as glass, quartz, Si, or metals, per customer requirements.
  • Surfaces consist of periodic arrays of metalized 3D relief structures.
  • Can be formed in both positive (raised) and negative (sub-surface) geometries.
  • Can be coated with a range of metals, including Au, Ag, Cu, Al, and metal oxides.
  • Can be produced in various polymer films, including polycarbonate, cyclic olefin (ZeonorTM and TopasTM), acrylic, cellulose esters (CAB, CAP), amorphous PET, and other substrates.

Applications of Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering Substrates

optics

Pharmaceutical Development

glass film

Chemical Threat Screening

transparent conductive film

Narcotics Detection

Solid-State Lighting

Environmental Contaminant Detection

Waveguide Polarizer

Food Quality Analysis

Interested in using a custom SERS substrate? Contact us today to get started.