Directory
Design of molecules for Chirowaveguides
Introduction
The objective of the GuiChiHeli ANR project is to develop a new class of planar integrated optical devices by extending the polarization of light guided by planar optical waveguide from linear to circular. The proposed approach relies on the development of strategies for the design of new High Isotropic Optical Rotation (HIOR) materials. The polarization properties of any achiral planar optical waveguide result from the planar symmetry: the propagating modes split in two families with perpendicular linear transverse polarization, the famous TE/TM modes (for Transverse Electric and Magnetic). Therefore, all the planar integrated optical devices are submitted to this diktat. Nineteen years ago, Engheta suggested a new class of waveguide, the chirowaveguides, constituted by an isotropic chiral core (N. Engheta, P. Pelet, Optics Letters 1989, 14, 593). Chirality of the transmission media, by coupling TE and TM modes, allows propagation of any elliptical polarization into such planar waveguides. The interest of physicists on this unique polarization control could be measured by the abundant literature. This interest is focused not only on such new fundamental aspects but also on the potential applications of chirality in waveguides. However, as far as we know, there has been no practical realization of any device or model structure. Indeed, the conception of chirowaveguides requires the design of a solid-state materials bearing a new function: High Isotropic Optical Rotation (HIOR); material that does not exist at the day of today. |  |  |
Strategy validation on binaphtol derivatives
We have completed a study based on binaphtol and we succeeded in the elaboration of hybrid chiral solid-state material both by pulsed laser deposition (Chem. Mater. submitted) or sol-gel dip-coating (J Sol-Gel Sci Technol online first doi 10.1007/s10971-009-2004-4). We have already validated the main part of the synthetic pathway: the racemic large scale synthesis of different bis-phenol molecules having the helicen-like skeleton shown in the followin figure. The optical resolution and the optimisation of a enantioselective pathway is in progress. In order to develop successfully this clearly multidisciplinary project, we brought together researchers having the needed complementary competences ; they belong to LPCML (PLD, sol-gel /dip-coating and optical characterization) and Laboratoire de Chimie of ENS-Lyon (design of HIOR organic entities, sol gel and chemical analysis).
Synthesis of helicen-like molecules having high optical rotation
Our current research is focused on the large scale synthesis of enantiopure helicen-like molecules expected to have significant higher optical rotations.
