Nearfield surface enhanced spectroscopy using targeted nanoparticle deposition

Surface enhanced spectroscopy is demonstrated by depositing gold nanoparticles on a surface using an atomic force microscope. A modified dip pen nanolithography process is used to place particles directly on to a target. Near-field optical enhancement is demonstrated for Raman and infrared spectroscopies and is applicable for fluorescence spectroscopy. This approach provides localized, near-field spectroscopy with subdiffraction limit resolution and a general method for fabricating plasmonic device structures. (C) 2008 American Institute of Physics.