Chirality of the electromagnetic force on atomic matter

In summary, left and right photons are thought to interact with matter in the same way due to the conservation of parity in electromagnetism. However, in our world, P-symmetry is generally broken. This means that even according to the Standard Model, light can interact with electrons in a non-parity-conserving way when propagating through certain media. Researchers have attempted to estimate the practical chirality of photons with regard to atomic matter and have also searched for anomalous electromagnetic phenomena related to chirality, such as optical activity in substances that are not traditionally considered chiral. Examples of substances that have been studied include argon, 4He, and Th 16O2, but even substances that are racemic on average can
  • #1
Incnis Mrsi
65
3
It’s commonly held that left and right photons interact with matter in exactly the same way, because electromagnetism “conserves parity”. But we know that P-symmetry, in our world, is generally broken. Even according to the Standard Model, when light propagates through some media, it interacts with electrons, that are subject to the weak force that isn’t parity-conserving.

Can any estimate of “practical” chirality of the photon wrt atomic matter be made? Was there any search for anomalous electromagnetic phenomena related to chirality? Such as optical activity in substances whose physics may not be chiral. Examples of substances without any anticipated form of either structural chirality or angular momentum are argon (all natural isotopes are even), 4He, Th 16O2, but substances that are racemic only statistically (in average) can be considered as well.
 
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  • #2
This is called atomic parity violation. Google it, and a number of review articles will appear.
 

1. What is chirality in the context of the electromagnetic force on atomic matter?

Chirality refers to the property of an object or system to be non-superimposable on its mirror image. In the context of the electromagnetic force on atomic matter, it specifically refers to the asymmetry in the distribution of electric charge within a molecule or crystal.

2. How does chirality affect the behavior of electromagnetic forces on atomic matter?

Chirality can significantly influence the strength and direction of electromagnetic forces on atomic matter. This is because the distribution of electric charge dictates the overall shape and spatial arrangement of atoms, which in turn affects how they interact with electromagnetic fields.

3. What are some real-world examples of chirality in the electromagnetic force on atomic matter?

One example is the phenomenon of circularly polarized light, where the electric and magnetic components of the electromagnetic field are perpendicular and rotate in a specific direction. Another example is the selective absorption of polarized light by certain molecules, which is used in techniques such as polarimetry for chemical analysis.

4. How is chirality related to the concept of symmetry in physics?

Chirality can be thought of as a type of symmetry breaking, as it introduces an asymmetry that is not present in the mirror image of an object or system. In physics, symmetry is a fundamental principle that helps to explain and predict the behavior of physical systems.

5. Are there any practical applications of understanding the chirality of the electromagnetic force on atomic matter?

Yes, there are several practical applications in various fields such as chemistry, biology, and materials science. For example, understanding the chirality of molecules is crucial in drug development, as different enantiomers (mirror images) of a molecule can have drastically different effects on the human body. In materials science, chirality plays a role in the properties of crystals and can be harnessed to create materials with unique optical and electronic properties.

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