Optical Activity Modulation in Chiral Metasurfaces via Structured Light.
basic_science · Level V
Where this comes from
- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 40762400.
- Also identified by DOI 10.1021/acs.nanolett.5c03044 and PMC identifier 12356053.
- Licence recorded as CC BY.
- The licence permits redistribution, so the abstract is shown in full and the full text is available from the publisher.
Abstract
We demonstrate a real-time, all-optical method for modulating optical activity in chiral metasurfaces using structured light without altering the metasurface geometry. By employing tightly focused Laguerre-Gaussian beams carrying spin and orbital angular momentum, we achieve dynamic control of the dichroism through selective excitation of optically dark multipolar modes. Unlike conventional methods reliant on thermal, mechanical or chemical stimuli, our approach offers noninvasive, and reversible modulation, overcoming key limitations in response time and energy efficiency. The structured light's field gradients enable access to optical modes otherwise inactive under plane wave illumination. This technique opens new pathways for adaptive nanophotonic systems, including quantum sensors, polarization controllers, and quantum encryption platforms, where high-speed and contactless tuning of chiroptical properties is essential.