Raman-enhancing structures include a photonic crystal having a resonant
cavity and at least one waveguide coupled to the resonant cavity. A
nanostructure comprising a Raman-enhancing material is disposed proximate
the resonant cavity of the photonic crystal. Raman-enhancing structures
include a microdisk resonator, at least one waveguide coupled to the
microdisk resonator, and a nanostructure comprising a Raman-enhancing
material disposed proximate the microdisk resonator. Methods for
performing Raman spectroscopy include generating radiation, guiding the
radiation through a waveguide to a resonant cavity in a photonic crystal
or a microdisk resonator, resonating the radiation in the resonant cavity
or microdisk resonator, providing an analyte proximate the resonant
cavity or microdisk resonator, subjecting the analyte to the resonating
radiation, and detecting Raman scattered radiation.