Resonant Raman scattering by breathing modes of metal nanoparticles

Abstract

Low-frequency Raman scattering experiments have been performed on metal nanoparticles embedded in two different thermally treated matrices. In addition to the well-known Raman scattering by the nanoparticle quadrupolar vibrational mode, the spectra measured in the 3–40 cm−1 frequency range exhibit several new bands. They are ascribed to resonant scattering by the nanoparticle breathing mode and its harmonics, in very good agreement with time-resolved measurements.