Individual Nanometer Hole–Particle Pairs for Surface‐Enhanced Raman Scattering

Holed up: Individual nanometer hole–particle pairs are prepared by self-assembly and their optical properties studied. A single nanoparticle is located in a single nanohole, which creates hot sites between them, thus greatly enhancing Raman signals of probe molecules. The enhancement is shown to depend on the spacing between the particle and hole. This new system has great potential for SERS studies in general and biosensor applications in particular.