Chirality-dependent macroscopic force between chiral molecules and achiral matter

摘要

A non-zero macroscopic chirality-dependent force between achiral matter and homochiral molecules due to the exchange of light particles is shown theoretically. It has the opposite sign for molecules with opposite chirality. As an example, this force between a copper block and a vessel of chiral molecules (methyl phenyl carbinol nitrite) is calculated in the crystal field theory. The magnitude of the force is estimated with the published limits of scalar and pseudo-scalar coupling constants. Its possible influence to the gravitational experiments testing the equivalence principle is discussed as well. (C) 2008 Published by Elsevier B.V.