# US 12,216,043 B2 · Devices and methods for determining chiral optical properties from third harmonic Mie scattering of semiconductor nanohelices > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,216,043 B2 - Document ID: US12216043B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/715,339 - Filed: 2022-12-01 - Published: 2024-12-19 - Granted: 2025-02-04 - Earliest claimed: 2021-12-01 - Assignees: The Regents of the University of Michigan; University of Bath - Applicants: The Regents of The University of Michigan; University of Bath - Inventors: Nicholas A. Kotov; Ventsislav Valev; Lukas Ohnoutek; Ji-Young Kim - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12216043B2 ## CPC - G01N 21/21: Polarisation-affecting properties (G01N21/19 takes precedence) - G01N 21/19: Dichroism - G01N 21/47: Scattering, i.e. diffuse reflection (G01N21/25, G01N21/41 take precedence {G01N21/55 takes precedence}) - G01N 21/636: {using an arrangement of pump beam and probe beam; using the measurement of optical non-linear properties; (non-linear optics per se G02F1/35)} - G01N 2021/216: {using circular polarised light} - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) ## Abstract Methods and devices for detecting chiral properties from a sample are provided. Light may be directed towards a sample in contact with a chiral nanoparticle. Third harmonic Mie scattering (THMS) optical activity generated by the chiral nanoparticle in contact with the sample can then be detected. A device for detecting chiral properties of a sample is also contemplated that includes Nat least one microwell having a volume of ≤about 1 microliter configured to hold a chiral nanoparticle capable of generating third harmonic Mie scattering (THMS) optical activity and a sample to be analyzed. The device includes a source of light configured to generate and direct light toward the at least one microwell containing the chiral nanoparticle and the sample and at least one detector configured to detect third harmonic Mie scattering (THMS) generated by the chiral nanoparticle in the microwell. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of detecting chiral properties from a sample, the method comprising: directing light towards a sample in contact with a chiral nanoparticle; and detecting third harmonic Mie scattering (THMS) optical activity generated by the chiral nanoparticle in contact with the sample. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the third harmonic Mie scattering (THMS) optical activity is a third harmonic (TH) emission in a forward direction that is circularly polarized. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the sample has a volume of less than or equal to about 1 microliter. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the sample has a volume of greater than or equal to about 10−5 microliters to less than or equal to about 1 microliter. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the chiral nanoparticle comprises a semiconductor material. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the chiral nanoparticle comprises cadmium tellurium (CdTe). ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the chiral nanoparticle comprises a plurality of chiral nanoparticles self-assembled together to define at least one self-assembled nanostructured helix. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the chiral nanoparticle comprises a plurality of chiral nanoparticles assembled together, wherein each chiral nanoparticle is in the form of a nanohelix having a length of greater than or about 5 micrometers to less than or equal to about 8 micrometers and a thickness of greater than or equal to about 10 nm to less than or equal to about 50 nm. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the light is circularly polarized light. ### Claim 10 A device for detecting chiral properties of a sample, the device comprising: at least one microwell having a volume of less than or equal to about 1 microliter configured to hold a chiral nanoparticle capable of generating third harmonic Mie scattering (THMS) optical activity and a sample to be analyzed; a source of light configured to generate and direct light toward the at least one microwell containing the chiral nanoparticle and the sample; and at least one detector configured to detect third harmonic Mie scattering (THMS) generated by the chiral nanoparticle in the at least one microwell. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The device of claim 10, wherein the chiral nanoparticle is provided in the sample in the microwell. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The device of claim 10, wherein the chiral nanoparticle is associated with a surface of the microwell. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The device of claim 10, wherein the microwell has a volume of greater than or equal to about 10−5 microliters to less than or equal to about 1 microliter. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The device of claim 10, wherein the chiral nanoparticle comprises a semiconductor material. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The device of claim 10, wherein the chiral nanoparticle comprises cadmium tellurium (CdTe). ### Claim 16 (depends on 10) The device of claim 10, wherein the chiral nanoparticle comprises a plurality of chiral nanoparticles self-assembled together to define at least one self-assembled nanostructured helix. ### Claim 17 (depends on 10) The device of claim 10, wherein the chiral nanoparticle comprises a plurality of chiral nanoparticles assembled together, wherein each chiral nanoparticle is in the form of a nanohelix having a length of greater than or equal to about 5 micrometers to less than or equal to about 8 micrometers and a thickness of greater than or equal to about 10 nm to less than or equal to about 50 nm. ### Claim 18 (depends on 10) The device of claim 10, wherein the source of light is configured to generate and direct circularly polarized light. ### Claim 19 (depends on 10) The device of claim 10, wherein the at least one microwell comprises an array of microwells.