Surface-enhanced Raman scattering effects of gold and InSb nanoparticles at THz frequencies

We present here a theoretical analysis of the possibility to combine SERS with THz by investigating the electromagnetic enhancement effects of gold and InSb nanoparticles under THz excitation. By means of the FDTD simulations, the electrical field enhancement, and thus the SERS enhancement factor of the gold and InSb nanoparticles with different sizes and interparticle separations are demonstrated, which indicate that the SERS effect exists in THz range as well and the SERS enhancement factor could reach 109 under the condition of certain size and interparticle distance. Therefore the SERS effect could be extended from ultraviolet, visible and near-infrared to THz regime. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.