A new experiment to investigate the origin of optical activity using a low energy positron beam of controlled helicityPrevious experiments undertaken in search of a correlation between the origin of optical activity in biological molecules and the helicity of beta particles emitted in nuclear beta decay have not provided any useful results. A description is presented of an experiment in which a low energy polarized positron beam of controlled helicity interacts with an optically active material to form positronium in vacuum. Advantages of the current study compared to the previous experiments are mainly related to a much greater sensitivity. Initially, it will be possible to detect a helicity-dependent asymmetry in triplet positronium formation of 1 part in 10,000. Improvements to better than 1 part in 100,000 should be attainable.
Document ID
19820037415
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Proceedings
Authors
Gidley, D. W. (Michigan Univ. Ann Arbor, MI, United States)
Rich, A. (Michigan Univ. Ann Arbor, MI, United States)
Van House, J. C. (Michigan, University Ann Arbor, MI, United States)
Zitzewitz, P. W. (Michigan, University Dearborn, MI, United States)