A high sensitive fiber SERS probe based on silver nanorod arrays

A portable fiber SERS probe has been developed based on Ag nanorod array fabricated by oblique angle deposition. The incoming laser beam was designed to focus onto the Raman substrate at 45 incident angle in order to maximize surface enhanced Raman scattering signal. With a fiber Raman system, a detection sensitivity of 10(-17) moles for trans-1, 2-bis(4-pyridyl) ethane molecules has been demonstrated. This Raman probe can also be used for in situ measurement for samples in aqueous solution. Such a fiber probe has great potential as a portable and remote sensor for on-site biological or chemical detection. (c) 2007 Optical Society of America.