Role of Geometric Shape in Chiral Optics

TL;DR

This paper introduces a method to evaluate and identify the potential of chiral scatterers in nano-optics by analyzing their T-matrix to relate geometric and optical properties.

Contribution

A constructive approach using T-matrix analysis to determine chiral optical responses from geometric mirror planes and internal degrees of freedom.

Findings

Planes of minimal chiral response can be identified from T-matrix data.

The method links geometric symmetry with optical activity.

Insights enable better design of nano-optical chiral scatterers.

Abstract

The distinction of chiral and mirror symmetric objects is straightforward from a geometrical point of view. Since the biological as well as the optical activity of molecules strongly depend on their handedness, chirality has recently attracted high interest in the field of nano-optics. Various aspects of associated phenomena including the influences of internal and external degrees of freedom on the optical response have been discussed. Here, we propose a constructive method to evaluate the possibility of observing any chiral response from an optical scatterer. Based on solely the T-matrix of one enantiomer, planes of minimal chiral response are located and compared to geometric mirror planes. This provides insights into the relation of geometric and optical properties and enables identifying the potential of chiral scatterers for nano-optical experiments.