Periodically nanostructured substrates for surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy

Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) is a technique capable of specifically detecting trace amounts of a given substance, based on the vibrational molecular signature. Developing cutting-edge applications and furthering a detailed understanding of SERS relies strongly on controling the nano- and micro-scale morphology of metal nanostructured SERS substrates. In this review, we present the most widespread classes of SERS substrates comprising periodic surface features, and the corresponding nanofabrication methods. A brief discussion on surface plasmon polaritons, in the context of the electromagnetic enhancement mechanism, explains the need for SERS substrates of controlled morphology.