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Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) and surface-enhanced resonance Raman scattering (SERRS) can provide positive identification of an analyte or an analyte mixture with high sensitivity and selectivity. Better understanding of the theory and advances in the understanding of the practice have led to the development of practical applications in which the unique advantages of SERS/SERRS have been used to provide effective solutions to difficult analytical problems. This review presents a basic theory and illustrates the way in which SERS/SERRS has been developed for practical use.

The first Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) genotyping assay using surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) is reported. Validated PCR primers were used to generate amplification products from plasmids, a control cell line and clinical specimens enabling subsequent identification of specific HPV genotypes using type specific probes across six channels.

Optimisation of colloidal properties allows Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) to be recorded from a range of analytes at 1546 nm, demonstrating the potential of SERS for use in a wavelength region of particular value for applications such as homeland security.

Surface enhanced resonance Raman scattering (SERRS) provides an increase in sensitivity over Raman scattering of about 1014 and rivals fluorescence in terms of its quantum efficiency. With the use of modern edge and notch filters and CCD cameras, the price and complexity of Raman spectroscopy equipment has decreased rapidly. This means that the potential advantages of SERRS are now much easier to release for use for practical purposes. The technique has specific advantages in terms of sensitivity and coding for use for tagging.

We demonstrate three-dimensional trapping of micrometer-diameter silica particles, partially coated with silver, within conventional optical tweezers. Although metallic particles are usually repelled from the beam focus by the scattering force, we show that transparent spheres partially coated with silver can be trapped with efficiencies comparable with dielectric particles. The trapping characteristics of these particles are examined as a function of metallic coverage, and the application of these particles to surface-enhanced resonance Raman scattering is investigated.

Surface-enhanced resonance Raman scattering (SERRS) is considerably more efficient than Raman spectroscopy, thereby enabling the detection of single molecules. Strong and short-lived SERRS emissions (

Remote nanoparticle detection is required for the development of in situ biological probes. Here we describe the labelling of silver nanoparticles to produce multiply coded particles which can be detected by surface enhanced resonance Raman scattering (SERRS). There is a potential for thousands of codes to be written and read without the need for spatial resolution of components of the code. The use of these systems in bioanlaysis and in situ detection is discussed.

Silica particles were partially coated with silver, and a suitable chromophore, such that they could be trapped within an optical tweezers system and simultaneously be excited to emit a surface–enhanced resonance Raman scattering (SERRS) spectrum. A standard 1064 nm TEM00 mode laser was used to trap the bead whilst a frequency doubling crystal inserted into the beam gave several microwatts of 532 nm co-linear light to excite the SERRS emission. The configuration has clear applications in providing apparatus that can manipulate a particle whilst simultaneously obtaining surface sensitive sensory information.