Surface enhanced luminescence and Raman scattering from ferroelectrically defined Ag nanopatterned arrays

Ag nanopatterned arrays prepared using periodically proton exchanged templates have been demonstrated to support surface enhanced luminescence. Fluorescence lifetime imaging reveals that luminescence intensity is greatest on Ag and that the lifetime of the molecular probe is reduced, in line with a surface enhanced luminescence mechanism. Studies establish that the substrate simultaneously supports surface enhanced luminescence and Raman scattering. Spatial dependence along the nanopatterned arrays shows <7% variation in Raman scattering signal intensity, offering high reproducibility for practical applications. Fluorophores emitting near the plasmon absorption maxima are enhanced 4-fold. (C) 2013 AIP Publishing LLC.