The use of Raman Scattering to investigate adsorbates on surfaces was initially thought to be of insufficent sensitivity. However, it was discovered that certain molecules and appropriatly prepared metal surfaces could display Raman scattering cross-sections many orders of magnitude greater than for isolated molecules. Raman Scattering is carried out using infra red light (see FTIR).

SERS is used to investigate the vibrational properties of adsorbed molecules (see RAIRS and HREELS). Metal surfaces have to be of high reflectivity and of a suitable roughness. Increasing sensitivity of detectors these days means that Raman spectra can be observed in very thin films without the need for the surface enhancement effect.