First Observation of Optical Activity in Hyper-Rayleigh Scattering

J. T. Collins, K. R. Rusimova, D. C. Hooper, H. H. Jeong, L. Ohnoutek, F. Pradaux-Caggiano, T. Verbiest, D. R. Carbery, P. Fischer, V. K. Valev

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

60 Citations (SciVal)

Abstract

Chiral nano- or metamaterials and surfaces enable striking photonic properties, such as negative refractive index and superchiral light, driving promising applications in novel optical components, nanorobotics, and enhanced chiral molecular interactions with light. In characterizing chirality, although nonlinear chiroptical techniques are typically much more sensitive than their linear optical counterparts, separating true chirality from anisotropy is a major challenge. Here, we report the first observation of optical activity in second-harmonic hyper-Rayleigh scattering (HRS). We demonstrate the effect in a 3D isotropic suspension of Ag nanohelices in water. The effect is 5 orders of magnitude stronger than linear optical activity and is well pronounced above the multiphoton luminescence background. Because of its sensitivity, isotropic environment, and straightforward experimental geometry, HRS optical activity constitutes a fundamental experimental breakthrough in chiral photonics for media including nanomaterials, metamaterials, and chemical molecules.

Original languageEnglish
Article number011024
JournalPhysical Review X
Volume9
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 6 Feb 2019

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Physics and Astronomy

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