Polymeric microsystems with SERS integrated microfluidics

Polymers have become an important material group in producing discrete photonic components and integrated optical devices. This is due to their good properties including high optical transmittance, versatile processability at low temperatures and potential for low-cost mass-production. Recently, nanoimprinting has obtained a plenty of research and industrial interest. Methods have been developed for high-throughput manufacturing of nanophotonic sensor structures using polymer materials with roll-to-roll UV-imprinting [1]. By applying subsequent evaporation of thin gold layer on top of the nanostructured polymer, well-performing Surface-Enhanced-Raman-Spectroscopy (SERS) sensor surfaces could be produced [2].