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Tracking Chirality Evolution in Tellurium Nanocrystals Via Polarization-Resolved Second-Harmonic Scattering
Ruidong Ji1, Bar Reuven2, Bradleigh Kerrigan1
1Department of Physics, University of Bath, Bath, BA2 7AY, U.K.
Nano Letters
|June 15, 2026
Summary
Chirality is key in biology and nanomaterials. Polarization-resolved second-harmonic scattering effectively detects weak chirality in tellurium nanocrystals, outperforming linear circular dichroism.
Area of Science:
- Nanomaterials Science
- Physical Chemistry
- Solid State Physics
Background:
- Chirality is fundamental in biological systems and advanced nanomaterials.
- Detecting weak or residual chirality in liquid-phase nanocrystal synthesis is challenging.
- Noninvasive probes are needed for tracking chirality evolution in nanocrystals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate chirality evolution in colloidal tellurium nanocrystals.
- To compare the sensitivity of linear circular dichroism and second-harmonic scattering for detecting chirality.
- To establish second-harmonic scattering as a probe for weak structural asymmetry.
Main Methods:
- Tracking chirality in tellurium nanocrystals with varying degrees of shape chirality.
- Measuring linear circular dichroism.
- Utilizing polarization-resolved second-harmonic scattering in forward and right-angled geometries.
- Analyzing six independent observables: nonlinear g-factor (gNL) and dual-circular polarization metrics (DCP1 and DCP2).
Main Results:
- Linear circular dichroism decreased significantly with reduced morphological chirality.
- Polarization-resolved second-harmonic scattering showed clear, handedness-dependent responses.
- Second-harmonic scattering signals reversed sign between enantiomorphs and remained well-resolved.
- Geometry dependence of responses indicated interference between mirror symmetry-even and odd nonlinear tensor contributions.
Conclusions:
- Chiroptical second-harmonic scattering is a highly sensitive probe for weak structural asymmetry.
- This method is effective for nanocrystals with coupled shape and crystal chirality.
- Second-harmonic scattering offers a robust alternative to linear circular dichroism for chirality detection.
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