Skip to Main Content
 

Global Search Box

 
 
 
 

ETD Abstract Container

Abstract Header

Expanding Tip Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy: Blinking Measurements and Alternative Probe Materials

Scherger, Jacob D

Abstract Details

2017, Doctor of Philosophy, University of Akron, Polymer Science.
Through the use of alternative probe materials, specifically titanium nitride, the capabilities of Tip enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS) have been expanded to new environments, and through the study of the blinking phenomenon a greater understanding of its capabilities has been achieved. TERS is a powerful analytical technique for measuring surfaces on the nanoscale. It is capable of simultaneously providing well resolved topographical and chemical information from a sample surface, and has been previously shown to be capable of single molecule sensitivity. It is shown here that blinking of individual species of a miscible blend can be observed even in non-resonant, non-dilute polymer systems. This result affirms thermal diffusion as the primary diffusive mechanism driving blinking, allows us to infer the size of highly enhancing areas within a larger plasmonic structure, and acts as a potential stepping stone towards more quantitative measurements with more well defined probes. Improving upon the versatility of the technique, protected titanium nitride coated probes are demonstrated to not only provide enhancement, but to act as robust probes in aqueous environments and to allow for the plasmon resonance wavelength to be tuned based on deposition conditions. These two properties serve to expand the applicability of TERS; extending potential for in-situ biological measurements and allowing for use in a wider variety of laboratory conditions.
Mark Foster, Dr. (Advisor)
Ali Dhinojwala, Dr. (Committee Chair)
Mesfin Tsige, Dr. (Committee Member)
Chrys Wesdemiotis, Dr. (Committee Member)
Edward Evans, Dr. (Committee Member)
193 p.

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Scherger, J. D. (2017). Expanding Tip Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy: Blinking Measurements and Alternative Probe Materials [Doctoral dissertation, University of Akron]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1510657402180872

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Scherger, Jacob. Expanding Tip Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy: Blinking Measurements and Alternative Probe Materials. 2017. University of Akron, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1510657402180872.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Scherger, Jacob. "Expanding Tip Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy: Blinking Measurements and Alternative Probe Materials." Doctoral dissertation, University of Akron, 2017. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1510657402180872

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)