Affiliation:
1. Biointerfaces Institute University of Michigan Ann Arbor Michigan USA
2. Department of Chemical Engineering University of Michigan Ann Arbor Michigan USA
Abstract
AbstractCircularly polarized light interacts preferentially with the biomolecules to generate spectral fingerprints reflecting their primary and secondary structure in the ultraviolet region of the electromagnetic spectrum. The spectral features can be transferred to the visible and near‐infrared regions by coupling the biomolecules with plasmonic assemblies made of noble metals. Nanoscale gold tetrahelices were used to detect the presence of chiral objects that are 40 times smaller in size by using plane‐polarized light of 550 nm wavelength. The emergence of chiral hotspots in the gaps between 80 nm long tetrahelices differentiate between weakly scattering S‐ vs R‐molecules with optical constants similar to that of organic solvents. Simulations map the spatial distribution of the scattered field to reveal enantiomeric discrimination with selectivity up to 0.54.
Funder
Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative
National Science Foundation
Office of Naval Research
Subject
Organic Chemistry,Spectroscopy,Drug Discovery,Pharmacology,Catalysis,Analytical Chemistry