Researchers report quantum-limit-approaching chemical sensing chip

Phys.org  January 11, 2021
To fabricate high‐density random metallic nanopatterns with accurately controlled nanogaps an international team of researchers (USA – SUNY Buffalo, China, Saudi Arabia) used four molecules (BZT, 4-MBA, BPT, and TPT), each with different lengths. They used atomic layer deposition and self-assembled monolayers instead of electron-beam lithography. The resulting SERS (surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy) chip with unprecedented uniformity is relatively inexpensive to produce and has gap size approaching the quantum regime of ≈0.78 nm. They demonstrated its potential for quantitative sensing with the relative standard deviation of 4.3% over large area. All chemicals have unique light-scattering signatures; therefore, the technology could eventually be integrated into a handheld device for detecting drugs in blood, breath, urine, and other biological samples. The research paves the way towards more affordable and quantitative sensing…read more. TECHNICAL ARTICLE 

The chip, which also may have uses in food safety monitoring, anti-counterfeiting, and other fields where trace chemicals are analyzed. Credit: Huaxiu Chen, University at Buffalo.

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