Correlating Single-Molecule Sers Statistics to Plasmonic Nanocluster Structure and Near-Field Properties

Abstract

Near-field properties due to surface plasmon excitation is a key element for different applications of metal nanoparticles, such as surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). Therefore, a characterization of such properties is fundamental for the correct interpretation of experimental results, such as the strong fluctuation of intensities observed at low analyte concentrations, especially at single-molecule detection level. In this paper, we investigate, by classical electrodynamics simulations, the link between the nearfield properties of metal nanoclusters and the intensity distribution that is expected in a given single-molecule SERS experiment. The results presented here points to the possibility of correlating the intensity histograms shapes to properties such as degree of field amplification localization and aggregation state of metal nanoparticles.