Small molecules self-organized in an orderly manner to enhance Raman signals

We have discovered an effect, termed stacking-induced intermolecular charge transfer-enhanced Raman scattering (SICTERS), that enhances the Raman signal intensities of small molecules by relying on their self-stacking rather than external substrates. This effect enables the design of substrate-free small-molecule probes for high-resolution, non-invasive transdermal Raman imaging of lymphatic drainage and microvessels.