Electromagnetic Enantiomer: Chiral Nanophotonic Cavities for Inducing Chemical Asymmetry

Chiral molecules, a cornerstone of chemical sciences with applications ranging from pharmaceuticals to molecular electronics, come in mirror-image pairs called enantiomers. However, their synthesis often requires complex control of their molecular geometry. We propose a strategy called "electromagnetic enantiomers" for inducing chirality in molecules located within engineered nanocavities using light, eliminating the need for intricate molecular design. This approach works by exploiting the strong coupling between a nonchiral molecule and a chiral mode within a nanocavity. We provide evidence for this strong coupling through angular emission patterns verified by numerical simulations and with complementary evidence provided by luminescence lifetime measurements. In simpler terms, our hypothesis suggests that chiral properties can be conveyed on to a molecule with a suitable chromophore by placing it within a specially designed chiral nanocavity that is significantly larger (hundreds of nanometers) than the molecule itself. To demonstrate this concept, we showcase an application in display technology, achieving efficient emission of circularly polarized light from a nonchiral molecule. The electromagnetic enantiomer concept offers a simpler approach to chiral control, potentially opening doors for asymmetric synthesis.