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Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering Science and Technology Fundamentals (SERS S&T Fundamentals)
Document Type: Presolicitation Notice
Solicitation Number: BAA07-61
Posted Date: Sep 12, 2007
Original Response Date: Oct 31, 2007
Current Response Date: Oct 31, 2007
Original Archive Date: Sep 12, 2008
Current Archive Date: Sep 12, 2008
Classification Code: A -- Research & Development
Naics Code: 541710 -- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
Description
DARPA is soliciting innovative research and development (R&D) proposals in the area of Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering Science and Technology Fundamentals (SERS S&T Fundamentals). The goal of this program is to understand the physical origin of SERS enhancement factor and to prepare functionalized nanoparticles and other substrates optimized for future chemical and biochemical nanosensor technologies.
The ability to reproducibly achieve a large SERS enhancement factor on metal surfaces represents an extremely powerful technique for the sensitive and selective detection of low-concentration analytes as commonly encountered in the detection of toxic industrial chemicals, chemical warfare agents, biochemicals, and in other sensing applications. The detailed understanding of the physical origins of SERS associated with nanoparticles and nanostructured surfaces and associated reproducibility is the fundamental research topic of this BAA.
DARPA is therefore interested in both theoretical and experimental approaches aimed at understanding SERS phenomena. In particular, research directed toward the fundamental understanding of both electromagnetic enhancement (EM) and chemical enhancement (CE) mechanisms commonly cited in the literature are sought through this BAA. Understanding of the electromagnetic mechanism where illumination intensity is enhanced due to sharp metal surfaces, plasmonic effects, or near-field coupling between metal particles in nanoantenna-like structures is of interest. In particular, understanding the EM phenomena often described by plasmonic excitation leading to hot spots around nanometer-sized metal particles is desired. Similarly, research directed toward understanding the nature of chemical enhancement associated with the charge transfer excitation between molecules and metal particles is also of interest.
DARPA Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) No. 07-61, entitled "Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering Science and Technology Fundamentals (SERS S&T Fundamentals),"
is provided as an attachment to this solicitation notice and includes information on the specific areas of interest; the submission process; abstract and proposal formats; evaluation and selection/funding processes; as well as all other pertinent administrative and contractual information. The BAA may be obtained from the FedBizOpps website:
http://www.fedbizopps.gov/, Grants.gov website:
http://www.grants.gov/, World Wide Web (WWW) at URL http://www.darpa.mil/mto (go to "solicitation"
area) or by fax, electronic mail, or mail request to the administrative contact address given below. Proposals not meeting the format or following the submission instructions described in the BAA may not be reviewed.
Point of Contact
Dennis Polla, Program Manager,
Phone xxxxxxxxxxxx, Fax 571-516-8761,
Email dennis.polla@darpa.mil
Michael Blackstone, Contracting Officer,
Phone (571) 218-4804, Fax (703) 696-2208,
Email michael.blackstone@darpa.mil