Dynamic optical chirality based on liquid-crystal-embedded nano-cilia photonic structures

Sufan Li, Yiheng Zhang, Yang Wang (), Guiyuan Cao, Qinghua Liang, Xiaochen Zhang, Haozhe Sun, Yongyue Zhang, Zhiyu Wang, Xing Liu, Peng Chen (), Han Lin (), Baohua Jia, Yan-Qing Lu and Jiafang Li ()
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Sufan Li: Beijing Institute of Technology
Yiheng Zhang: Nanjing University
Yang Wang: Beijing Institute of Technology
Guiyuan Cao: RMIT University
Qinghua Liang: Beijing Institute of Technology
Xiaochen Zhang: Beijing Institute of Technology
Haozhe Sun: Beijing Institute of Technology
Yongyue Zhang: Beijing Institute of Technology
Zhiyu Wang: Beijing Institute of Technology
Xing Liu: Beijing Institute of Technology
Peng Chen: Nanjing University
Han Lin: RMIT University
Baohua Jia: RMIT University
Yan-Qing Lu: Nanjing University
Jiafang Li: Beijing Institute of Technology

Nature Communications, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-11

Abstract: Abstract Compared to natural chiral molecules, artificial chiral photonic structures offer stronger chiroptical responses. However, the remarkable optical properties of most chiral structures are fixed upon fabrication, limiting their applications in scenarios where a dynamic response is required. Here, we propose an active optical chirality strategy by nano-kirigami and self-organization method, based on which a dual chiral framework is fabricated with cilia structures and cholesteric liquid crystal (LC). This dual chiral framework allows for a dynamic and wide range of chiroptical responses with nanoscale pixel size, enabling amplification, elimination, and reversal of circular dichroism. Furthermore, a thermally tunable chiroptical metalens based on this cilia-LC framework is constructed to achieve a focusing switch of circularly polarized light. This proposed technique holds great potential in diverse fields, including dynamic imaging, optical encryption, tunable displays, and sensors.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-61982-w

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