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SERS

Definition

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering. A nanorough gold or silver surface enhances the Raman signal of molecules adsorbed on it by factors of 10^6 to 10^14, pushing detection down to trace and even single-molecule levels.

Related terms

Mutual Exclusion Rule
For a centrosymmetric molecule (one with a centre of inversion), a vibration is either IR active or Raman active, never both. This...
Polarisability
The ease with which the electron cloud of a molecule deforms in an external electric field. A vibration is Raman active only...
Raman Effect
Inelastic scattering of monochromatic light by a molecule. The scattered photon is shifted in wavelength by an amount equal to a vibrational...
SORS
Spatially offset Raman spectroscopy. The collection optics are offset from the laser spot so the detector reads photons that have travelled through...
Stokes and Anti-Stokes Lines
Stokes lines (longer wavelength, lower energy than the laser) come from molecules starting in the ground vibrational state; anti-Stokes lines (shorter wavelength,...

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