Enantiomer Superpositions from Matter-Wave Interference of Chiral Molecules
Open Access
- 14 September 2021
- journal article
- research article
- Published by American Physical Society (APS) in Physical Review X
- Vol. 11 (3), 031056
- https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevx.11.031056
Abstract
Molecular matter-wave interferometry enables novel strategies for manipulating the internal mechanical motion of complex molecules. Here, we show how chiral molecules can be prepared in a quantum superposition of two enantiomers by far-field matter-wave diffraction and how the resulting tunneling dynamics can be observed. We determine the impact of rovibrational phase averaging and propose a setup for sensing enantiomer-dependent forces, parity-violating weak interactions, and environment-induced superselection of handedness, as suggested to resolve Hund’s paradox. Using ab initio tunneling calculations, we identify [4]-helicene derivatives as promising candidates to implement the proposal with state-of-the-art techniques. This work opens the door for quantum sensing with chiral molecules.Keywords
Funding Information
- Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (CRC 1319)
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