Multispectral SERS using plasmonic width-graded nanogratings

We report on a new class of plasmonic nanogratings in which the gradient in the groove-width enables facile fabrication of multiwavelength surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) substrates. These substrates have the potential of achieving unprecedented detection sensitivity, specificity and speed. The structure of these nano-gratings consist of metal-insulator-metal grooves with a 40 nm central groove width flanked by a series of grooves on either side with gradually increasing width. Groove widths increase in steps of 5 nm up to a maximum width of 200 nm positioned farthest from the central groove on either side. The gradient in groove width in turn produces a gradient in the effective refractive index of the grating determined by the groove width at each location. Together, multiple laser wavelengths can be simultaneously confined to the centrally situated narrow grooves, with the neighbouring larger grooves guiding the nonlocalized waves toward the grating center from both directions. This generates a maximally enhanced plasmonic field over a broad range of wavelengths on the surface of the nanograting which can be used to increase the Raman scattering efficiency of a sample molecule distributed over the structure. The structures were fabricated using electron beam lithography, reactive ion etching, and sputter-deposition techniques. Experimental results demonstrated up to four orders of magnitude enhancement in the SERS intensity of 1 mM phospholipid samples deposited over the graded nano-gratings. In addition, characterization of the phospholipids in aqueous phase flowing over the nano-gratings integrated within a microfluidic device revealed that the Raman peaks were only detectable with the enhancement introduced by the grating. These results were obtained using 532, 638, and 785 nm lasers, demonstrating the multispectral sensing capability of the graded gratings for static and dynamic characterization of low concentration species.