Light-Induced Persistent Electronic Chirality in Achiral Molecules Probed with Time-Resolved Electronic Circular...

Area of Science:

• Quantum Chemistry
• Molecular Physics
• Spectroscopy

Background:

• Chiral systems possess unique properties due to their asymmetric structure.
• Previous studies induced electronic chirality using multiple laser pulses.
• Light-induced electronic chirality offers a pathway to control molecular properties without altering nuclear configurations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate a simpler method for inducing long-lived electronic chirality using a single laser pulse.
• To analyze the mechanism of light-induced electronic chirality in achiral molecules.
• To explore the potential applications of transient chirality in spintronics and reaction dynamics.

Main Methods:

• Numerical simulations using state-of-the-art ab initio theory.
• Application of a single monochromatic circularly polarized laser pulse to oriented achiral molecules.
• Analysis of induced electronic chiral currents and magnetic dipole moments.

Main Results:

• A single circularly polarized laser pulse induces persistent electronic chiral currents in achiral molecules.
• These chiral currents are linked to magnetic dipole moments detectable by attosecond time-resolved electronic circular dichroism (TR-ECD) spectroscopy.
• The induced chirality exhibits rapid oscillations in handedness and persists after the laser pulse, analogous to high harmonic generation.

Conclusions:

• A single laser pulse can induce and control electronic chirality in molecules.
• Attosecond transient chirality control is achievable, with potential implications for spintronics and chemical reaction dynamics.
• This method provides a novel route to explore and manipulate chiral phenomena in molecular systems.