Surface-enhanced raman scattering as a function of molecule-surface separation

Abstract The dependence of Raman enhancement on molecule-surface separation is measured for pyridine on roughened Ag surfaces in UHV. Results follow predictions for local field enhancement by small Ag spheroid resonances by McCall, Platzman and Wolff, showing multi-layer enhancement. Isotopic studies confirm that several layers contribute to the enhanced Raman signal.