Dielectric Sphere Oligomers as Optical Nanoantenna for Circularly Polarized Light

Abstract

Control of circularly polarized light (CPL) is important for next-generation optical communications as well as for investigating the optical properties of materials. In this study, we explore dielectric-sphere oligomers for chiral nanoantenna applications, leveraging the cathodoluminescence (CL) technique, which employs accelerated free electrons for excitation and allows mapping the optical response on the nanoscale. For a certain particle-dimers configuration, one of the spheres becomes responsible for the left-handed circular polarization of the emitted light, while right-handed circular polarization is selectively yielded when the other sphere is excited by the electron beam. Similar patterns are also observed in trimers. These phenomena are understood in terms of optical coupling between the electric and magnetic modes hosted by the dielectric spheres. Our research not only expands the understanding of CPL generation mechanisms in dielectric-sphere oligomer antennas but also underscores the potential of such structures in optical applications. We further highlight the utility of CL as a powerful analytical tool for investigating the optical properties of nanoscale structures as well as the potential of electron beams for light generation with switchable CPL parities.