Single-shot Non-destructive Quantum Sensing for Gaseous Samples with Hundreds of Chiral Molecules

TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel single-shot, nondestructive quantum sensing method for chiral discrimination in gaseous samples, capable of distinguishing hundreds of molecules with high credibility, and potentially at the single-molecule level.

Contribution

The authors develop a new quantum sensing technique combining microwave enantio-specific state transfer and non-destructive quantum-state detection for chiral discrimination.

Findings

Able to distinguish 100-1000 molecules in a single shot

Uses a microwave resonator for non-destructive detection

Potential to achieve single-molecule discrimination

Abstract

Chiral discrimination that is efficient to tiny amounts of chiral substances, especially at the single-molecule level, is highly demanded. Here, we propose a single-shot nondestructive quantum sensing method addressing such an issue. Our scheme consists of two steps. In the first step, the two enantiomers are prepared in different rotational states via microwave enantio-specific state transfer. Then, the chiral discrimination is transferred to quantum hypothesis testing. In the second step, we for the first time introduce a non-destructive quantum-state detection technique assisted with a microwave resonator to chiral discrimination, through which the molecular chirality is determined by the sign of the output signals. Using a typical chiral molecule, 1,2-propanediol, and an experimentally feasible model based on spherical Fabry-P\'{e}rot cavity, we show that the molecular chirality of slowly moving enantiopure gaseous samples with $10^2 - 10^3$ molecules can be highly credibly distinguished in a single-shot detection. By further trapping chiral molecules, it is promising to achieve chiral discrimination at the single molecule level by using our approach.