Nanopillars etched into gold-coated gallium nitride can be used in Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) spectroscopy to improve the detection of biomolecules.

Enhancement factors of 2–3 million times normal Raman allow biological molecules to be detected quickly and at low sample concentration. The optimal substrate is two orders of magnitude better than porous GaN. The developers report that they unaware of any other multiply regenerated SERS substrate that gives such good enhancement while at the same time being highly stable and uniform. The materials are highly reproducible because of a simple and effective cleaning procedure.

• Highly reproducible, stable and multiply regenerated surface-enhanced Raman scattering substrate for biomedical applications
  A. Kaminska, I. Dziecielewski, J. L. Weyher, J. Waluk, S. Gawinkowski et al.,
  J. Mater. Chem. 2011.
  DOI: 10.1039/C0JM03336G