Alexandra Afanasjeva

Alexandra Afanasjeva

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Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

4Years (2023-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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13 May 2023 in Nanomaterials
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Journal Article
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ASAnastasiia Sapunova
Anastasiia Sapunova
YYYulia Yandybaeva
Yulia Yandybaeva
RZRoman A. Zakoldaev
Roman A. Zakoldaev
AAlexandra Afanasjeva
Alexandra Afanasjeva
OAOlga V. Andreeva
Olga V. Andreeva
Daler Raufovich DadadzhanovDaler Raufovich Dadadzhanov
Daler Raufovich Dadadzhanov
Chiral plasmonic nanostructures have emerged as promising objects for numerous applications in nanophotonics, optoelectronics, biosensing, chemistry, and pharmacy. Here, we propose a novel method to induce strong chirality in achiral ensembles of gold nanoparticles via irradiation with circularly-polarized light of a picosecond Nd:YAG laser. Embedding of gold nanoparticles into a nanoporous silicate matrix leads to the formation of a racemic mixture of metal nanoparticles of different chirality that is enhanced by highly asymmetric dielectric environment of the nanoporous matrix. Then, illumination with intense circularly-polarized light selectively modifies the particles with the chirality defined by the handedness of the laser light, while their “enantiomers” survive the laser action almost unaffected. This novel modification of the spectral hole burning technique leads to the formation of an ensemble of plasmonic metal nanoparticles that demonstrates circular dichroism up to 100 mdeg. An unforeseen peculiarity of the chiral nanostructures obtained in this way is that 2D and 3D nanostructures contribute almost equally to the observed circular dichroism signals. Thus, the circular dichroism is neither even nor odd under reversal of direction of light propagation. These findings will help guide the development of a passive optical modulator and nanoplatform for enhanced chiral sensing and catalysis.