SERS Blinking on Anisotropic Nanoparticles

A truncated power law analysis was developed for surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) blinking observed on anisotropic silver nanoparticles (NPs). Using modified equations, a richer and more diverse set of SERS blinking parameters was obtained, enabling the heterogeneity of the SERS blinking behaviors to be extracted. As a result of a profound analysis, three complex hot spots engaging the edges, tops, and junction can be recognized and described. This new approach regarding the analysis of SERS blinking has encouraged a revision of the base theory of this phenomenon, particularly the definition of the energy barrier between nonemissive and emissive states.