Project description
Structuring light to efficiently separate molecules with opposite handedness
Distinguishing and separating molecules with opposite handedness has profound implications in chemistry, biology and nanotechnology. While light is very efficient at distinguishing opposite enantiomers, it is very inefficient at separating them. The EU-funded STREDCH project will explore a new type of chirality in light – light's local chirality (LLC). Researchers aim to leverage LLC to demonstrate efficient enantioselective population transfer between electronic states as well as generate and structure LLC using structured media and structured light beams. Project activities are expected to exploit the fact that the coupling between LLC and molecular chirality relies only on electric-dipole interactions, which are orders of magnitude stronger than the magnetic-dipole ones required by standard methods.
Objective
Molecular chirality has profound as well as practical implications in chemistry, biology, and nanotechnology. While light is well established for distinguishing between opposite molecular enantiomers and there have been incredible advances in light sources, established methods for enantioselective synthesis and separation still rely on molecule-molecule interactions because the chirality of light couples only weakly to the chirality of molecules. This smallness stems from the dependence of this coupling on magnetic-dipole interactions. We recently found a new type of chirality in light – local chirality – which relies only on the electric field and is relevant for nonlinear light-matter interaction. Light’s local chirality (LLC) couples very strongly to molecular chirality – exclusively through electric-dipole interactions – as we already demonstrated distinguishing opposite enantiomers with perfect contrast [Nat.Phot.13,866(2019)]. Its immense potential in the fields of enantioselective synthesis and separation remains to be uncovered. The overall objective of this proposal is to set the cornerstones for realizing this potential.
The specific objectives of this proposal are (I) To use LLC to demonstrate efficient enantioselective population transfer between electronic states. (II) To use LLC to demonstrate ponderomotive-force-like enantioselective deflection of molecular beams. (III) To explore the generation and the structuring of LLC using structured media. (IV) To explore the generation of topologically non-trivial structures in LLC with the help of beams carrying orbital angular momentum and structured media.
Achieving these objectives will deliver the missing link needed to finally take advantage of our amazing control over light to synthesize and separate chiral molecules in an enantioselective fashion. It will bring efficiencies orders of magnitude better than previous magnetic-dipole-based methods and will have a direct impact on the chemical industry.
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Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)Coordinator
08860 Castelldefels
Spain