Understanding Optical Dissymmetry at Nanoscale Interfaces

Light, a fundamental aspect of our universe, can be decomposed into right- and left-hand circularly polarized (RCP and LCP) components, which are characterized by electric and magnetic fields rotating in opposite directions around the propagation axis. These components interact uniquely with chiral materials—structures lacking mirror symmetry—through a phenomenon known as optical dissymmetry, which is particularly significant in biological systems where many molecules exhibit inherent chirality. The study of optical dissymmetry has profound implications, enhancing our understanding of natural phenomena and enabling groundbreaking applications, especially in biology and medicine. Beyond classical optics, RCP and LCP light represent fundamental states of photon spin angular momentum, which opens new avenues in quantum optics and information processing, highlighting the multidisciplinary nature of this field. Our research group focuses on exploring these fascinating chiroptical phenomena, particularly light-matter interactions in chiral nanomaterials. By combining cutting-edge experimental techniques with advanced computational modeling, we aim to unravel the complex relationships between material asymmetry and optical behavior at the nanoscale. Our investigations seek to address fundamental questions about chirality and its manifestation in optical interactions while pursuing transformative applications ranging from ultra-sensitive biosensors for medical diagnostics to novel quantum optical devices. Through our research, we aspire to expand the frontiers of knowledge in chiroptical phenomena and pave the way for next-generation technologies that leverage the unique properties of chiral nanomaterials, potentially revolutionizing biomedicine, materials science, and quantum technology.