Maneuverable chiroptical responses for engineering high quality and ultrasensitive chiral sensing in planar metasurfaces
Phys. Rev. B 114, 235418 – Published 28 October, 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/k38q-jqrm
Abstract
Chiroptical planar metasurfaces have become a promising platform for exploring chirality-based applications and functionalities in nanophotonics due to their capability to enhance light-matter interactions at the nanoscale. Most existing research experiences an inverse correlation between quality factor (-factor) and circular dichroism (CD) that involves the copolarized () and cross-polarized () components, thereby limiting the practical applications of multifunctional and tunable optical sensing capabilities. Here planar chiral silicon metasurfaces, incorporating -shaped and -shaped meta-atoms, are numerically demonstrated and employed to yield a positive correlation between the -factor and CD, as well as reveal high- and ultrasensitive chiral sensing in the near-infrared regions. In particular, leveraging distinct symmetry-breaking approaches, the -factor, , and exhibit positive correlation with the related asymmetry parameters. Moreover, by embedding with the phase-change material , dynamic modulation of and can be finely adjusted via varying the configurations and the thickness of the . In addition, the steerable chiroptical responses can be engineered to achieve high- and ultrahigh-sensitivity chiral sensing in the near-infrared regions. These findings not only provide a unique approach for the realization of high- and ultrasensitive metadevices but promote the advancement of multifunctional biochemical and environmental sensing applications.