In our laboratory sessions, we have already seen examples of ways in which the absorbance or reflection of light can be used to identify and quantify substances. A new nanotechnology has been developed that can use light reflection to more accurately identify molecules than ever before. The newly developed sensor is comprised of a tiny chip, only a few hundred nanometers wide, with a grid of metal pillars containing multiple “nanodots” and cavities. Using a technique called Raman scattering, scientists can identify a single molecule placed on the chip by hitting it with a carefully aimed beam of a single frequency of light. The cavities and nanodots serve to magnify the intensity of Raman scattering. Raman scattering works by detecting tiny vibrations within the chemical bonds of molecules, and various colors of light can be used to create various images of individual molecules. The newly developed chip, delightfully named “disk-coupled dots-on-pillar antenna-array,” will help to refine images gathered using this technique, which might even aid in the production of even more detailed understanding of molecular structure.
See http://www.popsci.com/technology/article/2011-03/new-ultra-sensitive-sensor-could-sense-any-substance-taking-light-sensing-tech-out-lab
And for more information about Raman scattering, http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2010-12/new-microscopy-method-creates-super-small-scale-videos-subcellular-level
Posted by Annie Harmon
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This is interesting. It sounds like a modern day Rutherford/ alpha particles experiment. I wonder if the results of Raman scattering will effect our knowledge of molecular structures.
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