Ultra-precision sensor technology developed for single molecule detection
(a) Schematic diagram of the SERS sensing mechanism showing molecules trapped in nanogups. (b) Schematic diagram of the migration process of nanogups with micrometer periodicity to flexible substrates. (d) distortion (scale bar: 10 µm) of sem images before and after the top view of nanogups (c). (Inset shows a close-up of a single gap from above (scale: 1 µm). Credit: Advanced Optical Materials (2025). doi: 10.1002/adom.202403021
Researchers from the Nano Optics Group within the Unist Department of Physics have announced the success of implementing a plasmonic structure that allows accurate adjustment of the nanometer size gap in response to temperature changes. This technology allows real-time adjustments of nanogups to be tailored to the size of the molecule, allowing detection capabilities that far surpass traditional sensors.
The findings are published online in advanced optical materials.
The flexible nanogup structures developed in this study serve as important components in surface-reinforced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). SERS is an analytical technique that utilizes the powerful near field created by local surface plasmon resonance induced in metal nanostructures based on gold films, and is generated by amplifying the Raman signal of a molecule millions of times.
By employing flexible substrates, researchers achieve dynamic modulation of nanogups, opening up the possibility of effectively analyzing molecules of various sizes that have previously been difficult to evaluate.
The researchers have successfully developed a method to tune nanogups through temperature control to achieve a pronounced reinforcement factor of approximately 10 µ with SERS signals, reaching a detection limit of as low as 10°¹²m, suitable for single molecule detection.
Dr. Mahsa Haddadi Moghaddam, who led the study, said, “The ability to accurately control nanogups using temperature changes allows us to achieve much higher sensitivity than traditional SERS sensors. This technology can be critical, especially in accurate analysis at the single molecule level and in applications of various environmental and medical diagnostics.”
More details: Mahsa Haddadi Moghaddam et al, adjusting 1D plasmonic gaps at the nanometer scale of advanced SERS detection, advanced optical materials (2025). doi:10.1002/adom.202403021
Provided by Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology
Citation: Ultra-high precision sensor technology developed for single molecule detection (March 25, 2025) Retrieved from March 26, 2025 from https://phys.org/news/2025-03-ultra-precision-sensor-technology-molecule.html
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