Abstract
Cluster-assembled nanostructured carbon with a fractal morphology is employed as a large-area surface scaffold for metal decoration. By depositing silver by pulsed laser ablation densely packed, distributions of metal nanoparticles are produced. The authors show, using the surface-enhanced Raman effect and the modification of fluorescence quantum yields near metallic surfaces, that silver-coated nanostructured carbon can be used to sense low concentrations of biomolecules.