An electrically driven device (10) for surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy includes a first electrode (16), a substrate (12) positioned proximate to the first electrode (16), a plurality of cone shaped protrusions (12′) formed integrally with or on a substrate surface (S), a Raman signal-enhancing material (14) coated on each protrusion (12′), and a second electrode (18) positioned relative to the first electrode (16) at a predetermined distance, D. Each of the protrusions (12′) has a tip (22) with a radius of curvature, r, ranging from about 0.1 nm to about 100 nm. The second electrode (18) is positioned relative to the first electrode (16) such that the electrodes (16, 18) together produce an electric field (EF) when a voltage bias is applied therebetween. The electric field (EF) has a field distribution that creates a stronger field gradient at a region proximate to the tips (22) than at other portions of the substrate (12).