Enantiomer-discriminating sensing using optical cavities at exceptional points

Abstract

We propose a method for the detection of the handedness of otherwise identical chiral molecules using the coupling to a high-Q cavity at an exceptional point. In particular, we show that the rates of spontaneous emission for left- or right-handed enantiomers interacting with the cavity mode can be strongly enhanced or suppressed. This provides a strong spectroscopic signature to distinguish enantiomers. The enantioselectivity is shown to be robust against perturbations that move the cavity mode away from the exceptional point.