We present the first density functional simulations of coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) and an analysis of the chemical effects upon binding to a metal surface. Spectra are obtained from first-principles electronic structure calculations and are compared with available experiments and previously available theoretical results following from Hartree–Fock polarizability derivatives. A first approximation to the nonresonant portion of the CARS signal is also explored. We examine the silver pyridine cluster models of the surface chemical signal enhancement, previously introduced for surface-enhanced Raman scattering. Chemical resonant intensity enhancements of roughly 102 are found for several model clusters. The prospects of realizing further enhancement of CARS signal with metal surfaces is discussed in light of the predicted chemical enhancements.Chemistry and Chemical Biolog
