Ordered array of nanoparticles for efficient nanoenhanced Raman scattering detection and methods of forming the same

An NERS-active structure comprising:

• a substrate;
• a two-dimensional array of nanoparticles usable for enhancing Raman scattered radiation, the two-dimensional array of nanoparticles affixed to the substrate;
• an outer shell partially coating at least some nanoparticles of the two-dimensional array of nanoparticles;
• and
• an analyte molecule adsorbed between two nanoparticles of the two-dimensional array of nanoparticles.

An NERS system comprising:

• an NERS-active structure comprising:
• a substrate;
• a two-dimensional array of nanoparticles usable for enhancing Raman scattered radiation in NERS, the two-dimensional array of nanoparticles affixed to the substrate;
• and
• an outer shell partially coating at least some nanoparticles of the two-dimensional array of nanoparticles;
• a light source configured to irradiate light onto the NERS-active structure;
• and
• a detector configured to receive Raman-scattered light scattered by an analyte located adjacent the NERS-active structure.

A method for performing NERS comprising:

• providing an NERS-active structure comprising:
• a substrate;
• a two-dimensional array of nanoparticles usable for enhancing Raman scattered radiation in NERS affixed to the substrate;
• and
• an outer shell partially coating at least some nanoparticles of the two-dimensional array of nanoparticles;
• placing an analyte adjacent to the NERS-active structure;
• irradiating the analyte and the NERS-active structure with excitation radiation;
• and
• detecting Raman scattered radiation scattered by the analyte.