Processable, High-Performance Circularly Polarized Luminescence Architectures for Information Interaction

ConspectusChirality imparts spin to light─the intrinsic fingerprint of asymmetric matter. When optical spin interacts with molecular or supramolecular chirality, it generates distinctive chiroptical phenomena, with circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) attracting significant attention due to its optical activity and spin angular momentum. This asymmetric coupling enables the development of functional CPL-active materials, driving advancements in intelligent information interactions, including stereoscopic displays, secure information technologies, advanced imaging, and quantum photonics. For practical use, effective CPL-active materials demand the integration of high chiroptical activity for strong signals, robust stability for reliable performance, and processability for device integration. Conventional chiral nanomaterials and organic emitters typically exhibit dissymmetry factors of only 10–4–10–2, far below the theoretical maximum of ±2. In contrast, structural engineering strategies─such as supramolecular assemblies, chiral photonic crystals (particularly chiral liquid crystals), and plasmonic coupling─can amplify chiroptical activity to dissymmetry factors above 10–1. However, in some cases, these systems are restricted to fluidic or film states, hindering their further integration into applicable devices. The key challenge, therefore, is to create CPL-active materials with strong performance and, subsequently, to endow these materials with sufficient stability and processability to enable device construction for practical applications.To address this challenge, we leverage supramolecular helical templates and coassemble them with diverse emitters─such as quantum dots, phosphors, and molecular dyes─to amplify emission asymmetry. Building on this foundation, we develop helical-confinement chiroptical superstructures (HCCSs) by stabilizing the confined helical architectures through covalent interactions or in situ polymerization. This approach not only amplifies CPL activity to achieve large dissymmetry factors but also converts fragile helical assemblies into durable architectures. Moreover, the confinement imparts outstanding processability, enabling the resulting materials to be printed, woven, or continuously manufactured, providing sufficient performance for applications within a single chemical framework. In this context, we first introduce the photophysical properties of CPL and the material requirements for practical systems, particularly for intelligent information interaction. We then discuss strategies for CPL generation and amplification, focusing on chiral liquid crystal photonic templates and helical coassembly methods. Subsequently, we highlight the helical-confinement assembly process that produces HCCSs with enhanced processability and scalability. We further showcase how such advances translate into functional applications, ranging from (i) information security and recognition including a multimodal encryption system and high-dimensional optical mapping, (ii) flexible three-dimensional displays and spatial imaging devices, and (iii) imaging and sensing under complex conditions using polarization-differential technologies. Finally, we outline future directions in programmable, scalable, and multifunctional chiral luminescent materials for multidisciplinary applications. We envision that these materials will provide a genetic toolkit of chemical materials to meet application demands and, going forward, will bridge chemistry, materials science, and photonics, paving the way for next-generation optoelectronic devices and systems.