Active chiral plasmonics: flexoelectric control of nanoscale chirality

Gilroy, C., McKay, K., Devine, M., Webster, R. W.H., Gadegaard, N. , Karimullah, A. , Maclaren, D. and Kadodwala, M. (2021) Active chiral plasmonics: flexoelectric control of nanoscale chirality. Advanced Photonics Research, 2(1), 2000062. (doi: 10.1002/adpr.202000062)

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Abstract

The ability to electrically control the optical properties of metamaterials is an essential capability required for technological innovation. The creation of dynamic electrically tuneable metamaterials in the visible and near IR region are important for a range of imaging and fibre optic technologies. However current approaches require complex nanofabrication processes which are incompatible for low cost device production. Here, we report a novel simple approach for electrical control of optical properties which utilises a flexoelectric dielectric element to electromechanically manipulate the form factor of a chiral nanostructure. By altering the dimensions of the chiral nanostructure, we allow the polarisation properties of light to be electrically controlled. The flexoelectric element is part of a composite metafilm that is templated on to a nanostructured polymer substrate. Since the flexoelectric element does not require in situ high temperature annealing it can be readily combined with polymer‐based substrates produced by high throughput methods. This is not the case for piezoelectric elements, routinely used in microelectromechanical (MEM) devices which require high temperature processing. Consequently, combining amorphous flexoelectric dielectric and low‐cost polymer‐based materials provides a route to the high throughput production of electrically responsive disposable metadevices.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Kadodwala, Professor Malcolm and MacLaren, Professor Donald and McKay, Katie and Karimullah, Dr Affar and Webster, Mr Robert and Gilroy, Mr Cameron and Gadegaard, Professor Nikolaj
Authors: Gilroy, C., McKay, K., Devine, M., Webster, R. W.H., Gadegaard, N., Karimullah, A., Maclaren, D., and Kadodwala, M.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Chemistry
College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Biomedical Engineering
College of Science and Engineering > School of Physics and Astronomy
Journal Name:Advanced Photonics Research
Publisher:Wiley
ISSN:2699-9293
ISSN (Online):2699-9293
Published Online:22 October 2020
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2020 The Authors
First Published:First published in Advanced Photonics Research 2(1): 2000062
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

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Project CodeAward NoProject NamePrincipal InvestigatorFunder's NameFunder RefLead Dept
173324Mapping the mesoscale structural landscape using "sculpted" chiral plasmonic fieldsMalcolm KadodwalaEngineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)EP/P00086X/1Chemistry
190883Consortium for advanced materials based on spin chiralityStephen McVitieEngineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)EP/M024423/1P&S - Physics & Astronomy
190828EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Sensing and MeasurementAndrew HarveyEngineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)EP/L016753/1P&S - Physics & Astronomy