Raman enhancements in coupled nanostructures for TERS imaging

有了这个奖项，化学部的化学测量和成像计划是资助教授扎卡里D。Schultz博士研究如何增强扫描探针显微镜成像的分子样品的信号。 一种类型的光散射（拉曼散射）可以揭示有关分子结构的信息。 在扫描探针实验中，探针尖端可以增强拉曼散射信号（这被称为尖端增强的拉曼散射，或“TERS”）。Schultz教授正在研究从纳米结构中观察到的拉曼信号增强的起源与尖端增强拉曼散射（TERS）成像。仪器和方法正在与Snite艺术博物馆合作，以确定中世纪艺术品中的颜料并帮助保护研究。研究生和本科生参与本研究为促进测量科学提供了一个平台，并为学生提供了一个培训机会，以获得与学术研究和商业利益相关的研究技能。该项目侧重于了解TERS实验中引起化学特定信号的等离子体效应。TERS成像结合高光谱暗场显微镜确定等离子体模式和拉曼散射所产生的相互作用的TERS尖端与各种大小和形状的纳米粒子（NP）。纳米结构周围的分子所经历的电场正在通过振动频率偏移而不是信号强度来研究。TERS尖端和表面的化学功能化被用于研究产生所观察到的TERS信号的分子的位置。目前正在研究TERS测量的灵敏度，以确定进行单一蛋白质研究的可能性。该项目有可能使完整细胞膜中的蛋白质受体的化学表征。

With this award, the Chemical Measurement and Imaging program of the Division of Chemistry is funding Professor Zachary D. Schultz of the University of Notre Dame to explore ways to enhance the signal from molecular samples being imaged by a scanning probe microscope. A type of light scattering (Raman scattering) can reveal information about the structure of molecules. In a scanning probe experiment, the probe tip can enhance the Raman scattering signal (this is called tip-enhanced Raman scattering, or 'TERS'). Professor Schultz is investigating the origin of Raman signal enhancements observed from nanostructures coupled with tip enhanced Raman scattering (TERS) imaging. The instrumentation and methodology is being used in collaboration with Snite Museum of Art to identify pigments in medieval artwork and aid conservation studies. The incorporation of graduate and undergraduate students in this research provides a platform for promoting measurement science and a training opportunity for the students to gain research skills relevant to academic research and commercial interests.The project focuses on understanding the plasmonic effects that give rise to chemical specific signals in TERS experiments. TERS imaging combined with hyperspectral dark-field microscopy determines the plasmon modes and Raman scattering arising from the interaction of a TERS-tip with various sized and shaped nanoparticles (NPs). The electric fields experienced by molecules around the nanostructures are being studied by vibrational frequency shifts rather than signal intensity. Chemical functionalization of the TERS tip and the surface is being used to study the location of the molecules that give rise to the observed TERS signals. The sensitivity of the TERS measurements is being investigated to determine the possibility of single protein studies. This project has the potential to enable chemical characterization of protein receptors in intact cell membranes.