Photo-induced separation of chiral isomers in a classical buffer gas

TL;DR

This paper presents a theoretical framework for inducing and controlling the separation of chiral molecules using circularly polarized light in buffer gases, with magnetic fields enabling additional control mechanisms.

Contribution

It introduces a novel theory describing photo-induced drift of chiral molecules, including effects of magnetic fields and polarization states of light.

Findings

Circularly polarized light causes opposite fluxes for different chiral isomers.

Magnetic fields enable flux induction with linearly polarized or unpolarized light.

Flux magnitude is independent of electromagnetic field linear or orbital momentum.

Abstract

We develop a theory of photo-induced drift of chiral molecules or small particles in classical buffer gases. In the absence of a magnetic field there exists a flux of chiral molecules, provided the electromagnetic field is circularly polarized. It has opposite signs for different chiral isomers. In the presence of a magnetic field the flux can be also induced by a linearly polarized (or unpolarized) electromagnetic field. The magnitude of the flux is not proportional to either linear or orbital momentum of the electromagnetic field.