000467020 001__ 467020
000467020 005__ 20230212181214.0
000467020 0247_ $$2CORDIS$$aG:(EU-Grant)101029393$$d101029393
000467020 0247_ $$2CORDIS$$aG:(EU-Call)H2020-MSCA-IF-2020$$dH2020-MSCA-IF-2020
000467020 0247_ $$2originalID$$acorda__h2020::101029393
000467020 035__ $$aG:(EU-Grant)101029393
000467020 150__ $$aStructured electric-dipole-based chirality$$y2021-04-01 - 2023-03-31
000467020 372__ $$aH2020-MSCA-IF-2020$$s2021-04-01$$t2023-03-31
000467020 450__ $$aSTREDCH$$wd$$y2021-04-01 - 2023-03-31
000467020 5101_ $$0I:(DE-588b)5098525-5$$2CORDIS$$aEuropean Union
000467020 680__ $$aMolecular 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.
000467020 909CO $$ooai:juser.fz-juelich.de:898710$$pauthority$$pauthority:GRANT
000467020 909CO $$ooai:juser.fz-juelich.de:898710
000467020 980__ $$aG
000467020 980__ $$aCORDIS
000467020 980__ $$aAUTHORITY