Liquid-crystal-assisted chiral nanoscintillator architectures with circular polarization degree exceeding 0.7 in X-ray radioluminescence

Abstract

X-ray imaging stands as a fundamental technology in clinical diagnostics and industrial inspection, capitalizing on its exceptional material penetration capabilities. Conventional systems use achiral scintillators that produce unpolarized radioluminescence, limiting imaging to static, intensity-based detection. Herein, we report a dynamic X-ray imaging approach using chiral nanoscintillator architectures that generate circularly polarized radioluminescence (CPRL). By integrating perovskite nanocrystals with spectrum-matched cholesteric liquid crystals, we achieve a circular polarization degree of 0.75 in radioluminescence, along with X-ray imaging performance featuring a detection limit of 204 nGy s⁻¹ and spatial resolution of 26.7 lp mm⁻¹. This enables real-time polarization-modulated X-ray imaging via enantioselective CPRL detection. Additionally, X-ray penetration facilitates enantioselective decryption of subsurface polarization patterns, offering potential for anticounterfeiting technology and medical diagnosis with intrinsic security.