A Raman signal-enhancing structure includes a substrate and a plurality of
protrusions located at predetermined positions relative to a surface of
the substrate. Each protrusion includes a Raman signal-enhancing material
and has cross-sectional dimensions of less than about 50 nanometers. The
structure also includes an edge that includes an intersection between two
nonparallel surfaces of at least one protrusion. A Raman spectroscopy
system includes such a Raman signal-enhancing structure, and Raman
spectroscopy may be performed on an analyte using such structures and
systems. A method for forming such a Raman signal-enhancing structure
includes nanoimprint lithography.