Raman scattering nanoprobes

A method of performing a Raman investigation of a sample, comprising:

• a) providing a Raman scattering probe responsive to light at an excitation wavelength, comprising:
• an elongated capsule of nanometric size;
• multiple Raman-active molecules coupled to the capsule, said Raman-active molecules collectively exhibiting a Raman scattering response at a shifted wavelength when the probe is illuminated by the light at the excitation wavelength, said Raman-active molecules being aligned along the elongated capsule such that said Raman scattering response is stronger than fluorescence noise from the Raman-active molecules at said shifted wavelength;
• and
• at least one functionalization chemical group that is attached to an exterior of the elongated capsule and that enables a connection between the capsule and a target material;
• b) attaching the Raman scattering probe to a target material of interest within the sample via said at least one functionalization group;
• c) illuminating the sample with an excitation light beam at the excitation wavelength;
• and
• d) detecting light at the shifted wavelength resulting from the Raman scattering response.