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Breakthrough in Quantum Control of Chiral Molecules
A recent study titled “Near-complete chiral selection in rotational quantum states,” published in Nature Communications, showcases a significant advancement in the field of chiral molecules. Led by Dr. Sandra Eibenberger-Arias, the Controlled Molecules Group from the Molecular Physics Department of the Fritz Haber Institute has successfully achieved near-complete separation of quantum states in these crucial biological components.
This groundbreaking finding challenges earlier beliefs regarding the limits of controlling the quantum states of chiral molecules, suggesting new pathways for exploration in molecular physics and related disciplines.
Chiral molecules, which exist as two non-superimposable mirror-image forms known as enantiomers, resemble the relationship between left and right hands. These molecules are essential to various biological processes. The research team’s ability to manipulate these molecules and their quantum states holds significant implications for the spatial separation of enantiomers in gas phases and could contribute to investigations into the origins of life’s homochirality, which refers to the preferential formation of one enantiomer over another in living organisms.
Prior to this study, the prevailing notion in the scientific community was that achieving perfect control over the quantum states of chiral molecules was theoretically possible but practically out of reach. However, the Fritz Haber Institute team has demonstrated that a 96% purity level for one enantiomer’s quantum state can be attained, limiting contamination from its counterpart to just 4%. This is a substantial step towards achieving complete selectivity.
The team’s success can be attributed to their innovative combination of tailored microwave fields and ultraviolet radiation, which offered unparalleled control over the molecular interactions. In their experiments, they utilized a beam of chilled molecules—cooled to about 1 degree above absolute zero—subjecting them to three distinct interaction zones where they were exposed to resonant UV and microwave radiation. This approach marks a notable enhancement in molecular beam experiments, as the selected rotational quantum states predominantly contain the desired enantiomer of the chiral molecule.
This new experimental technique opens avenues for further exploration into fundamental physics and chemistry involving chiral molecules. The method presents a fresh opportunity to investigate parity violation in chiral molecules—a theoretical phenomenon that has yet to be experimentally validated. Such work could deepen our comprehension of the universe’s intrinsic symmetries and asymmetries.
Ultimately, this research indicates that nearly complete, enantiomer-specific state transfer is feasible, and the technique is applicable to a broad range of chiral molecules. The implications of this discovery are extensive, promising not only to enhance molecular physics research but also to inspire novel applications and methodologies in the field.
More information: JuHyeon Lee et al., Near-complete chiral selection in rotational quantum states, Nature Communications (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-51360-3
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Citation: Chiral molecule research achieves near-complete separation in quantum states (2024, August 29) retrieved 29 August 2024 from https://phys.org/news/2024-08-chiral-molecule-quantum-states.html
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