Graphened IR Screens: A New Spectroscopic Platform For Bio-Species

Abstract

Metallo-dielectric screens are periodic structures, which are at resonance with the infrared (IR) wavelength of interest: a standing wave of surface charges is formed at resonance conditions, which enables transmission or, reflection of certain IR bands. Graphene is a monolayer thick crystal of carbon. It is chemically inert and exhibits very large electronic mobility. Recently, we succeeded in fabricating mono and a few-layered suspended graphene on top of these screens. We combined these two unique components in fabricating novel platforms, which enhance IR signals of soft bio-species. Specifically, we used these platforms to examine IR spectra of a model protein, cytochrome c from a bovine heart tissue. Clear Raman signal variation as a function of platform orientation has been demonstrated. Accentuation of the IR absorption spectra was shown as well.