Surface-enhanced Raman scattering study of silver deposition on thin Alq3 layers

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectroscopy is applied to study in situ the interface formation of silver on thin Alq3 films. The changes in the frequencies of Alq3 vibrational modes are moderate and their line-shape is preserved upon Ag deposition. Moreover, a good correspondence appears between the SERS and powder spectra and frequencies predicted by density functional calculations for the meridianal isomer. The behaviour of Raman spectra indicates that no chemical interaction occurs between the Ag atoms and Alq3 molecules. # 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.