An optically active composition (100) for optical applications has been identified. The optically active composition (100) can include at least one cyclic molecule having a nanocore (112) disposed within the cyclic molecule to form a filled ring (108). The composition (100) is optically transmissive for at least one photonic wavelength that would not otherwise be transmitted by the composition (100) if the nanocore were absent from the cyclic molecule. The cyclic molecule can be a carbon ring, an aromatic ring, or a heterocyclic ring. The filled ring (108) can be attached to a chiral molecule which is a repeat unit (102) in a polymeric backbone. A second filled ring (110) which causes the composition to be optically transmissive at a second wavelength also can be attached to the chiral molecule (102) as well. An electric field can be applied to the filled ring (108) to adjust the wavelength at which filled ring (108) is transmissive.