Multistate transitions and quantum oscillations of optical activity

TL;DR

This paper explores how multistate quantum transitions influence optical activity and racemization in chiral molecules, extending simple models to include multiple excited states and analyzing their effects.

Contribution

It introduces an effective two-level model incorporating multistate transitions using the Weisskopf-Wigner approximation, advancing understanding of optical activity modifications.

Findings

Derived an effective two-level description for multistate transitions.

Analyzed optical activity changes under CPT and T invariance.

Discussed analogies between enantiomers and K-meson systems.

Abstract

We consider the effects of multistate transitions on the tunneling racemization of chiral molecules. This requires going beyond simple two-state models of enantiomers and to include transitions within a multiple-level quantum-mechanical system.We derive an effective two-level description which accounts for transitions from the enantiomers to an arbitrary number of excited states as an application of the Weisskopf-Wigner approximation scheme. Modifications to the optical activity from these additional states are considered in general terms under the assumption of \textit{CPT} invariance and then under T invariance. Some formal dynamical analogies between enantiomers and the neutral K-meson system are discussed.