Objective A novel effect of optical activity of highly rotationally excited non-chiral molecules has been proposed in 2004 by Bunker and Jensen (P.R. Bunker, P.Jensen J. Mol. Spec., 228 (2004) 640), where some symmetric, asymmetric, and spherical type molecules in the states can be stabilized by high rotational excitation and become rotationally chiral. They predicted that enantiomers characterized by the so-called rotational chirality will rotate the plane-polarized light, i.e. become optically active. Although this idea has the potential to give birth to a new paradigm of optical control devices and to stimulate new fruitful developments in quantum optics and material science, it passed unnoticed by the scientific community.In the current project we aim to bridge this gap and present the first theoretical study of the optical activity of rotationally chiral molecules. This study will provide theoretical for future experiments and potential technological applications. To this end a new method will be developed for accurate solution of the quantum nuclear-motion problem for small and medium-sized molecules in the presence of external electromagnetic fields with different polarizations, which still represents a challenge even for small molecules. This method will be applied to simulate the optical activity of molecules in rotationally chiral states and will be generally important for a wide range of applications including materials science, optics and communications, and medicine. It will open the doors for a new type of optical control of molecules by moderate external field. Fields of science natural sciencesphysical scienceselectromagnetism and electronicselectromagnetismnatural sciencesphysical sciencesopticsnatural sciencesphysical sciencesquantum physicsquantum optics Programme(s) FP7-PEOPLE - Specific programme "People" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Topic(s) FP7-PEOPLE-2013-IEF - Marie-Curie Action: "Intra-European fellowships for career development" Call for proposal FP7-PEOPLE-2013-IEF See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MC-IEF - Intra-European Fellowships (IEF) Coordinator UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON EU contribution € 231 283,20 Address GOWER STREET WC1E 6BT LONDON See on map Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Giles Machell (Mr.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data
