Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) as probe of plasmonic near-field resonances

Near-field plasmonic properties are fundamental for the various applications of metal nanoparticles. In this sense, a characterization of such properties is essential for a better understanding of the electromagnetic interactions probed by the materials. In this manuscript we discuss the possibility of using surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) as a possible experimental probe of near-field resonance properties of metal nano particles aggregates. In this specific case, we investigate both, theoretically and experimentally, the behavior of broad and narrow near-field enhancement resonances in the SERS spectra of adsorbed molecules. We believe the results presented here may open new possibilities and insights in plasmonic nanoparticle properties character ization for different applications.