Symmetry based analyses of optical activity of single- and double-wall carbon nanotubes

Abstract

The full symmetry groups, which include the line groups, of single- and double-wall carbon nanotubes are used in analyzing their optical activity. Although the line groups are related exclusively to infinite quasi-1D systems, the results correspond equally well to the both infinite and finite length nanotubes, since the dielectric and optic tensors are determined by an isogonal group, only. On the other hand, the optical activity should continuously diminish as the tube diameter increases, approaching to the inactive 2D graphene sheet.