Deep-UV tip-enhanced Raman scattering

We report for the first time the tip-enhancement of resonance Raman scattering using deep ultraviolet (DUV) excitation wavelength. The tip-enhancement was successfully demonstrated with an aluminum-coated silicon tip that acts as a plasmonic material in DUV wavelengths. Both the crystal violet and adenine molecules, which were used as test samples, show electronic resonance at the 266-nm excitation used in the experiments. With results demonstrated here, molecular analysis and imaging with nanoscale spatial resolution in DUV resonance Raman spectroscopy can be realized using the tip-enhancement effect. Copyright (C) 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.