Open AccessSeparating and trapping of chiral nanoparticles with dielectric photonic crystal slabs
Author(s) -
Saisai Hou,
Y. Liu,
W. X. Zhang,
X. D. Zhang
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.423243
Subject(s) - chirality (physics) , dielectric , photonic crystal , optics , optical force , degenerate energy levels , materials science , trapping , transverse plane , optical tweezers , realization (probability) , condensed matter physics , circular polarization , optoelectronics , physics , chiral symmetry , quantum mechanics , quark , ecology , statistics , structural engineering , engineering , mathematics , nambu–jona lasinio model , biology , microstrip
Chiral separation is a crucial step in many chemical synthesis processes, particularly for pharmaceuticals. Here we present a novel method for the realization of both separating and trapping of enantiomers using the dielectric photonic crystal (PhC) slabs, which possess quasi-fourfold degenerate Bloch modes (overlapping double degenerate transverse-electric-like and transverse-magnetic-like modes). Based on the designed structure, a large gradient of optical chirality appears near the PhC slab, leading to the extreme enhancement of chiral optical forces about 3 orders of magnitude larger than those obtained with circularly polarized lights. In this case, our method provides a reference for realizing all-optical enantiopure syntheses.