Comment on “Scanning-probe Raman spectroscopy with single-molecule sensitivity”

Abstract

We reinterpret the scanning-probe Raman spectra shown in the paper of Neacsu et al. [Phys. Rev. B 73, 193406 (2006)] and compare it to a variety of single-molecule surface-enhanced Raman studies. The observed blinking behavior and spectral features must be attributed to carbon contaminations rather than to malachite green single molecules, because, under the given experimental conditions, the extremely high-field enhancement of $5\times {10}^9$ will inevitably lead to a quick (photo)decomposition of the adsorbate.