Enantioselective chiral orientation induced by a combination of a long and a short laser pulse

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates a quantum and classical approach to achieve enantioselective orientation of chiral molecules using shaped laser pulses, enabling potential separation of enantiomers.

Contribution

It introduces a novel method combining quantum and classical models to induce enantioselective orientation with shaped laser pulses.

Findings

Strong field-free enantioselective orientation along laser propagation.

Classical model successfully reproduces quantum results.

Potential application in chiral enantiomer separation.

Abstract

Enantioselective orientation of chiral molecules excited by a shaped picosecond laser pulse and a delayed femtosecond pulse is considered. Using quantum mechanical simulations, we demonstrate a strong field-free enantioselective orientation along the laser propagation direction. In addition, we use a classical model to reproduce the enantioselective orientation. Moreover, the analysis of the corresponding classical system allows understanding the qualitative features of the induced enantioselective orientation. The strong enantioselective orientation may be used for the separation of chiral enantiomers using inhomogeneous electrostatic fields.