Controlling the symmetry of inorganic ionic nanofilms with optical chirality

Christopher Kelly (), Donald A. MacLaren, Katie McKay, Anthony McFarlane, Affar S. Karimullah, Nikolaj Gadegaard, Laurence D. Barron, Sonja Franke-Arnold, Frances Crimin, Jörg B. Götte, Stephen M. Barnett and Malcolm Kadodwala ()
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Christopher Kelly: University of Glasgow
Donald A. MacLaren: University of Glasgow
Katie McKay: University of Glasgow
Anthony McFarlane: University of Glasgow
Affar S. Karimullah: University of Glasgow
Nikolaj Gadegaard: University of Glasgow
Laurence D. Barron: University of Glasgow
Sonja Franke-Arnold: University of Glasgow
Frances Crimin: University of Glasgow
Jörg B. Götte: University of Glasgow
Stephen M. Barnett: University of Glasgow
Malcolm Kadodwala: University of Glasgow

Nature Communications, 2020, vol. 11, issue 1, 1-7

Abstract: Abstract Manipulating symmetry environments of metal ions to control functional properties is a fundamental concept of chemistry. For example, lattice strain enables control of symmetry in solids through a change in the nuclear positions surrounding a metal centre. Light–matter interactions can also induce strain but providing dynamic symmetry control is restricted to specific materials under intense laser illumination. Here, we show how effective chemical symmetry can be tuned by creating a symmetry-breaking rotational bulk polarisation in the electronic charge distribution surrounding a metal centre, which we term a meta-crystal field. The effect arises from an interface-mediated transfer of optical spin from a chiral light beam to produce an electronic torque that replicates the effect of strain created by high pressures. Since the phenomenon does not rely on a physical rearrangement of nuclear positions, material constraints are lifted, thus providing a generic and fully reversible method of manipulating effective symmetry in solids.

Date: 2020
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-18869-9

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