TopUp plasmonic arrays for surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy

By combining a bottom-up process with top-down fabricated templates, the benefits of both methods are joined by creating so-called TopUp plasmonic arrays for surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). The morphological and optical characterization of the TopUp substrates illustrates exceptional structural features allowing for a broad excitation range. Moreover, insights into the growth process of the silver desert-rose-like structures on gold templates are given. Finally, the high potential of the TopUp substrate in analytical science employing SERS for readout is substantiated using the example of sulfamethoxazole. Reliable detection of sulfamethoxazole down to 10-7 M is achieved, which is the relevant concentration range in surface water analysis.