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Calculation of a mirror asymmetric effect in electron scattering from chiral targetsA dynamical calculation is presented of the helicity induced in an initially unpolarized electron beam after elastic scattering from an optically active medium, a process analogous to the circular polarization induced in unpolarized light following Rayleigh scattering from chiral targets. The calculation is based on the bound helical electron model of a chiral molecule, according to which the major contribution to the helicity is provided by the perturbation of the electron bound state by the spin-orbit interaction of the bound electrons moving in the electric field of the molecular core. The net helicity acquired is found to depend directly on a molecular asymmetry factor and the square of the atomic number of the heaviest atom in an asymmetric environment. For the case of carbon, the induced helicity is on the order of 0.00001, which would account for its lack of observation in a recent experiment. Results may have implications for the origin of optical activity in biological molecules by the differential ionization of D and L isomers by beta-decay electrons.
Document ID
19820048510
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Rich, A.
(Michigan Univ. Ann Arbor, MI, United States)
Van House, J.
(Michigan, University Ann Arbor, MI, United States)
Hegstrom, R. A.
(Wake Forest University Winston-Salem, NC, United States)
Date Acquired
August 10, 2013
Publication Date
May 10, 1982
Publication Information
Publication: Physical Review Letters
Volume: 48
Subject Category
Chemistry And Materials (General)
Accession Number
82A32045
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSG-7452
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSF PHY-81-07573
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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