Chiral plasmonic nanostructures push the limits of nanoscale photomanipulation
Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images of arrays formed by 45 nm colloidal Au nanoparticles were self-assembled into chiral motifs, in this case Triskelions, manufactured using template-assisted self-assembly methods. Credit: Adaptation from Nature Communications (2025). doi:10.1038/s41467-025-56999-0
Researchers at ICMAB are revolutionizing how light can be manipulated at the nanoscale using chiral plasmonic structures. This is a nanomaterial designed to interact with polarization in an extreme way.
ICMAB researchers from ICMAB’s Nanopto group recently published two studies showing how cost-effective manufacturing techniques with potential applications in sensors, imaging, and even quantum technologies can generate highly efficient chiral nanostructures.
The first study published in Nature Communications introduces a self-assembled chiral plasmonic architecture (Triskerion pattern) made from gold and silver nanoparticles. These structures exhibit exceptional optical responses that selectively interact with circular polarization, opening up the exciting possibilities of advanced optoelectronic devices.
In the second study published in ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, the team introduced a new plasmonic methasurface using inverse pyramid arrays. These metasurfaces offer unprecedented polarization control and can be manufactured using soft lithography and anisotropic etching, resulting in a cost-effective and scalable method.
Inverted pyramid. Credit: ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces (2025). doi: 10.1021/acsami.4C19803
Louis Perez, co-author of both studies, commented on the potential for these advances. “Our research lays the foundation for a new generation of optically operated devices that can significantly improve technology in areas such as displays and environmental surveillance.”
Researcher Agustin Mihi highlighted the importance of scalability in these innovations. “As well as pushing the limits of nanoscale optical properties, it also allows these technologies to be expanded for industrial applications. This combination of performance and scalability is essential to transforming these discoveries into real-world products.”
These two studies provide innovative insights into the manipulation of light at the nanoscale, paving the way for more efficient and accessible optoelectronic devices with a wide range of applications in industries ranging from healthcare to energy and communication.
Details: Xiaoyu Qi et al, Chiral plasmonic superlattices of template-assisted assembly of achiral nanoparticles, natural communication (2025). doi:10.1038/s41467-025-56999-0
Strong chirooptic activity of plasmonic methasurfaces with Luis Alberto Pérezetal, inverted pyramid array, ACS applied materials and interfaces (2025). doi: 10.1021/acsami.4C19803
Citation: Chiral Plasmonic Nanostructures push the limits of nanoscale (April 10, 2025) photomanipulation recovered on April 11, 2025 from https://phys.org/news/2025-04-chiral-plasmonic Nanon Structure-limits-nanoscale.htmll on April 11, 2025
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