In a groundbreaking discovery, researchers at the University of Ottawa have uncovered the surprising light-absorbing properties of achiral (symmetric) materials. Traditionally believed to be indifferent to optical probes, these engineered materials, called achiral plasmonic metasurfaces, have now been found to selectively absorb light based on the handedness of its wavefront. This discovery, led by Professor Ravi Bhardwaj and Ph.D. student Ashish Jain, challenges our long-held understanding and opens up new possibilities for advanced sensing and measurement technologies.
Achiral Dichroism: Dispelling a Myth
Until the last few decades, scientists assumed that achiral materials were unable to interact differently with polarized light. Well, not anymore because the research team at University of Ottawa smashed this belief.
The research presented a 50-percent absorption enhancement by the achiral plasmonic metasurfaces using a uniquely twisted light mode (developed by Professor Ebrahim Karimi’s SQO group) to control and tune both binding and azimuthal symmetries in the circularly polarized light for select colours. Not only does this discovery counter our current knowledge, but it also paves the way for innovative developments in optical devices like sensors and switches.
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How the team was able to uncover these groundbreaking findings is found at the core of a delicate tango between various attributes of light and engineered achiral materials. As Professor Bhardwaj says, “Our work shows that not only is it possible to reduce the absorption of light with a twisting wavefront, but that we can control this process up to 50 per cent with a special kind of twisted light. This selective absorption occurs as a result of the peculiar interactions between each part of the light and the materialeldom.arraycopy
Armed with specialized equipment and methods, the researchers, working together with Mr. Howard Northfield (Research Engineer) and Prof. Pierre Berini (University Research Chair in Surface Plasmon Photonics; Professor of Electrical Engineering), uncovered this remarkable effect. Their work lays the foundation for optical metrology breakthroughs, leading to highly accurate measurements and improved sensing across numerous industries.
Opening the Door to Advanced Technologies
In addition to academic research on KLI 4133, this discovery has wider-ranging implications as well. Ashish Jain, the Ph. This has a significance beyond the immediate observation of topological excitations: In superconductors, as well as materials that show quantum Hall effects or “Weyl-fermions”, very asymmetric non-local features are usually coupled to unconventional light-matter interaction: co-author Peter C. Woicik highlights the broader impact: “This discovery is important because it shows that even symmetric materials can have special following properties for light absorption leading to new possibilities in advanced sensing and measurement technologies.”
Published in the leading journal ACS Nano, Professor Rotello and his colleagues report their discovery offers means to influence a broad range of optical devices and applications; while disproving an established belief about achiral materials. From improved spectroscopy and sensing through novel switches and sensors; this discovery looks set to redefine how we access and control light.
