A review of helical nanostructures: growth theories, synthesis strategies and properties

Ren, Zheng; Gao, Pu‐Xian

doi:10.1039/c4nr00330f

Cited by 128 publications

(103 citation statements)

References 217 publications

(203 reference statements)

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“…Recently, crystal growth theories and the synthesis of aperiodic ensembles of helical nanostructures have been reviewed [19,20]. In this review article, we examine the principle of operation of helical metamaterials, that is, periodic arrays of helical nanostructures, and explore optimized designs that have been introduced over the past years.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Optical and Infrared Helical Metamaterials

Kaschke

Wegener

2016

Nanophotonics

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By tailoring metamaterials with chiral unit cells, giant optical activity and strong circular dichroism have been achieved successfully over the past decade. Metamaterials based on arrays of metal helices have revolutionized the field of chiral metamaterials, because of their capability of exhibiting these pronounced chiro-optical effects over previously unmatched bandwidths. More recently, a large number of new metamaterial designs based on metal helices have been introduced with either optimized optical performance or other chiro-optical properties for novel applications. The fabrication of helical metamaterials is, however, challenging and even more so with growing complexity of the metamaterial designs. As conventional two-dimensional nanofabrication methods, for example, electron-beam lithography, are not well suited for helical metamaterials, the development of novel three-dimensional fabrication approaches has been triggered. Here, we will discuss the theory for helical metamaterials and the principle of operation. We also review advancements in helical metamaterial design and their limitations and influence on optical performance. Furthermore, we will compare novel nano-and microfabrication techniques that have successfully yielded metallic helical metamaterials. Finally, we also discuss recently presented applications of helical metamaterials extending beyond the use of far-field circular polarizers.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Optical and Infrared Helical Metamaterials

Kaschke

Wegener

2016

Nanophotonics

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“…In condensed matter physics, a series of pioneering works has seen the realization of nanohelices by several different growth and fabrication techniques [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12]. The remarkable progress in quality is demonstrated by the recent report of the quantum Hall effect in this novel geometry [13].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 89%

Nanohelices as superlattices: Bloch oscillations and electric dipole transitions

2016

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Subjecting a nanohelix to a transverse electric field gives rise to superlattice behavior with tunable electronic properties. We theoretically investigate such a system and find Bloch oscillations and negative differential conductance when a longitudinal electric field (along the nanohelix axis) is also applied. Furthermore, we study dipole transitions across the transverse-electric-field-induced energy gap, which can be tuned to the eulogized terahertz frequency range by experimentally attainable external fields. We also reveal a photogalvanic effect by shining circularly polarized light onto our helical quantum wire.

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“…The interested reader can find excellent related reviews in references. [44][45][46] The following part of our contribution (Section 4) deals with different configurations and architectures, involving the simple micro/nano helix structure as fundamental elements but arranged with higher complexity. These systems have been proposed and/or experimentally realized in order to modulate or enhance the optical interactions to obtain additional photonic functionalities from helix-base metamaterials.…”

Section: Wwwadvopticalmatdementioning

confidence: 99%

Materials and 3D Designs of Helix Nanostructures for Chirality at Optical Frequencies

Passaseo

Esposito

Cuscunà

et al. 2017

Advanced Optical Materials

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The capability to fully control the chiro‐optical properties of metamaterials has drawn considerable attention due to developments in metamaterial fabrication techniques and a deeper understanding of the light–matter interaction, enabling a number of applications from integrated photonics to life sciences. From simple geometrical studies on single helix shaped metamaterials, both the design complexity and nanofabrication capability are steadily increasing allowing to extend their properties to the visible regime and beyond. In this work, helix‐shaped micro‐ and nanostructures are reviewed, which have the possibility to modulate their optical response in the linear regime at optical frequencies by spatial arrangement or by constitutive material. An overview of different theories describing the general optical operation of chiral media and a discussion on experimental results obtained by the state‐of‐the‐art helix structures realized by different fabrication techniques is provided. Finally, advanced designs for improved functionality envisaged to match practical applications or to enable new optical multifunctionalities are compared. Even if many applications have been envisaged only theoretically, the continuous effort and progress shown by the research community engaged in this field suggests that helical chiral metamaterials could represent a disruptive breakthrough for advanced optical devices.

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A review of helical nanostructures: growth theories, synthesis strategies and properties

Cited by 128 publications

References 217 publications

Optical and Infrared Helical Metamaterials

Optical and Infrared Helical Metamaterials

Nanohelices as superlattices: Bloch oscillations and electric dipole transitions

Materials and 3D Designs of Helix Nanostructures for Chirality at Optical Frequencies

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