Unraveling the Chirality Transfer from Circularly Polarized Light to Single Plasmonic Nanoparticles

Abstract

Due to their broken symmetry, chiral plasmonic nanostructures have unique optical properties and multiple applications. However, there is still a lack of comprehension about how chirality transfer between circularly polarized light (CPL) and these structures occurs. Here, we thoroughly investigate the plasmon‐assisted growth of chiral nanoparticles from achiral Au nanocubes (AuNCs) via CPL without the involvement of any chiral molecule stimulators. We identify the structural chirality of our synthesized chiral plasmonic nanostructures by using circular differential scattering (CDS) spectroscopy correlated with scanning electron microscopy imaging at both the single‐particle and ensemble levels. Theoretical simulations, including hot‐electron surface maps, reveal that the plasmon‐induced chirality transfer is mediated by the asymmetric distribution of hot electrons on achiral AuNCs under CPL excitation. Furthermore, we shed light on how this plasmon‐induced chirality transfer can also be utilized for chiral growth in bimetallic systems, such as Ag or Pd on AuNCs. Results presented here reveal fundamental aspects of chiral light‐matter interaction, influencing the future design and optimization of chiral sensors and chiral catalysis, among others.