Electric field analysis, polarization, excitation wavelength dependence, and novel applications of tip‐enhanced Raman scattering

Abstract

Tip‐enhanced Raman scattering (TERS) has received significant interest as a new nano‐vibrational spectroscopy technique, which can be used to obtain site‐specific molecular information. TERS instruments have made remarkable progress, and the application of TERS has been expanding to nanomaterials, liquid samples, biological materials, and electrochemistry. Furthermore, molecular structures with imaging can be explored even at subnanometer resolution. This review consists of two parts: basic studies on the reproducibility of TERS and novel applications of TERS. In the former part, we report the electric field analysis, polarization, and excitation wavelength dependence of TERS. These studies are very important for understanding the characteristic features of TERS. In the latter part, we introduce two examples of TERS applications to nanomaterials, epitaxial graphene, and graphene oxide and two examples of liquid TERS that use chemically modified tips: nanoscale pH measurement and enantiomeric discrimination using TERS. Finally, we discuss the perspective of TERS.

Tribute to Derek Long: An instant snapshot of the development of Raman spectroscopy and its application in the fields of instrumentation and methodology, solid‐state materials, cultural heritage, DFT modeling and applications in biology, microbiology, and medicine

“…The first contribution by Pienpinijtham et al ( Electric field analysis, polarization, excitation wavelength dependence, and novel applications of tip‐enhanced Raman scattering (TERS) , Toyota Physical and Chemical Research Institute, Japan) [ 11 ] reviews the theoretical and physical foundations of Tip Enhancement Raman Spectroscopy (TERS), in particular electric field analysis, polarization, and excitation wavelength dependence and uses examples concerning “classic” (epitaxial graphene and graphene oxide) and chemically modified tips (e.g., nanoscale pH measurement and eniantiometric discrimination) to conclude on the prospects for evolution. The second contribution of Sifat and Potma ( Optimizing the near‐field and far‐field properties of tips in tip‐enhanced Raman scattering , University of California, USA) [ 12 ] is concerned with the design of tips (especially the morphology near the apex).…”

Progress of tip-enhanced Raman scattering for the last two decades and its challenges in very recent years

“…Tip-enhanced Raman scattering (TERS) is a Raman technique that provides site-specific information on a nano-to sub-nano scale, with spatial resolution beyond the diffraction limit of light. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12] TERS can be performed on any type of material surface, regardless of morphology. It can be applied in various environments, such as ambient air, ultrahigh vacuum (UHV), solutions, and electrochemical environments.…”

“…There are several important reviews on TERS. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12] However, we aim at a more comprehensive review of TERS, from its history and the development of instruments to its characteristics, advantages and a variety of applications. We also put some emphasis on very recent studies on chemical imaging by TERS with a resolution of a few angstroms.…”

“…[59][60][61] Moreover, a new sideillumination EC-TERS setup has been proposed, and the investigations using EC-TERS have been developed rapidly. [62][63][64][65][66] TERS has the following characteristics and advantages: [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12] (1) TERS has extremely high spatial resolution, enabling site-specific information to be obtained. Recently, angstrom spatial resolutions have been reported.…”

“…TERS is versatile in many aspects, and it holds strong implications for the wider scientific community. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12] Thanks to the versatility of TERS, it can be applied to a variety of fields such as nanoscience and technology, photonics, materials science, and bioscience. In this review, the applications of TERS to carbon nanomaterials and bioscience will be discussed in Sections 7 and 8, respectively.…”