Light amplifying devices for surface enhanced raman spectroscopy

A system for performing surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy, comprising:

• a light amplifying device, including:
• a dielectric layer having two opposed surfaces, wherein a refractive index of the dielectric layer is higher than a refractive index of a material or environment adjacent thereto;
• at least one opening formed in one of the two opposed surfaces of the dielectric layer;
• at least one nano-antenna established on the one of the two opposed surfaces of the dielectric layer;
• and
• a gain region positioned in the dielectric layer or adjacent to an other of the two opposed surfaces of the dielectric layer;
• an energy source operatively configured to supply energy to the gain region;
• and
• a light source operatively configured to direct light toward the at least one nano-antenna of the light amplifying device.

A method for making a light amplifying device for surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy, the method comprising:

• forming at least one opening in one of two opposed surfaces of a dielectric layer having a refractive index that is higher than a refractive index of a material or environment configured to be directly adjacent thereto;
• establishing at least one nano-antenna on the one of the two opposed surfaces of the dielectric layer;
• and
• establishing a gain region in the dielectric layer or adjacent to an other of the two opposed surfaces of the dielectric layer.