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Updated: May 10, 2026

Spatial Separation of Molecular Conformers and Clusters
Published on: January 9, 2014
Spatial separation of dimers of chiral molecules
1Department of Chemistry, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver V6T 1Z1, Canada.
Abstract:
A method for the spatial separation of R-R and S-S homodimers from R-S heterodimers, where R and S are chiral molecules of opposite handedness ("enantiomers"), is introduced. The separation, achieved by using two spatially inhomogeneous time-delayed laser pulses, is a result of one type of dimer forming a "dark state" and experiencing no light-induced potential, while the other type of dimer, forming a "bright" state, undergoes deflection. The direction of deflection of the two types of chiral dimers may be reversed by reversing the time delay between the laser pulses. We demonstrate the feasibility of the process by simulating the separation of lactic acid dimers.
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