Enhanced circular dichroism via slow-light in dispersive structured media

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates how slow-light effects in dispersive structured media can significantly enhance circular dichroism measurements, reducing sample path length requirements and increasing sensitivity in challenging frequency regimes.

Contribution

It introduces a novel approach leveraging slow-light phenomena to improve CD measurement sensitivity and reduce optical path length in dispersive structured media.

Findings

Reduced optical path length by an order of magnitude

Enhanced sensitivity of CD measurements

Access to CD data in previously challenging frequency regimes

Abstract

Circular dichroism (CD) is in widespread use as a means of determining enantiomeric excess. We show how slow-light phenomena in dispersive structured media allow for a reduction in the required optical path length of an order of magnitude. The same ideas may be used to enhance the sensitivity of CD measurements while maintaining the same optical path length through the sample. Finally, the sensitivity may be enhanced in frequency regimes where CD data is typically not accessible due to a modest chiral response of the enantiomers.