Surface enhanced infrared absorption spectra on pulsed laser deposited silver island films

Infrared absorption spectra for self-assembled monolayer of p-nitrothiophenol on Pulsed Laser Deposited (PLD) silver films have been measured at normal incidence of radiation. For a PLD film grown in non-equilibrium conditions, it was confirmed that the particle diameter and the interparticle distance were small compared with those of a vacuum-evaporated film. A film with such morphology is advantageous for infrared absorption enhancement. Results show that the best film for the infrared absorption enhancement is probably that generated with PLD.