Manipulation of cold chiral molecules using electronic and rotational spectroscopy

The two non-superimposable mirror images of a chiral molecule are referred to as enantiomers; that is, structures that cannot be transformed into each other by pure translation or rotation. Many molecules of biological interest have a stereogenic center that determines their functionality. However, most physical properties of enantiomers are identical, thus, chiral analysis remains a challenge, and there is a need for fast and reliable methods that can differentiate and/or separate enantiomers. Recently, the enantiomer-specific state transfer method¹ was developed. This method provides the means to populate or depopulate a rotational state of an enantiomer. We have designed, built, and characterized a compact spectrometer capable of performing chirped-pulse Fourier transform microwave and electronic spectroscopy. By combining optical methods with microwave spectroscopy, we seek to maximize the state-specific enantiomeric enrichment. We also implement more sensitive detection schemes such that small population changes can be detected. Recent experimental results and details on the new spectrometer will be discussed.

¹Eibenberger, S., Doyle, J. & Patterson, D. Enantiomer-Specific State Transfer of Chiral Molecules. Phys Rev Lett 118, 123002, (2017).