Chirality is a ubiquitous property of light and matter. Chiral molecules appear in pairs of left- and right-handed enantiomers, two non-superimposable mirror twins. They behave identically, unless interacting with another chiral object. This asymmetry plays key roles in science, from particle physics to biomedicine. For instance, the chiral molecules in our bodies make our interaction with chiral drugs enantio-sensitive: one molecular enantiomer can be an effective medicine, whereas its mirror twin is less effective, not effective at all, or even poisonous. Being able to distinguish them is therefore vital, especially since more than half of the drugs currently in use are chiral.
Traditional chiro-optical methods rely on the electronic response of matter to both the electric and magnetic components of a circularly polarised wave, i.e. on the chiral molecule “feeling” the light’s helix. However, the micron-scale pitch of this helix is too large compared to the angstrom-scale size of the molecules, leading to extremely weak chiro-optical signals and a justified impression that chiral discrimination is difficult, especially on ultrafast time scales. In other words, chiro-optical effects are usually weak (<0.1%) because they arise beyond the electric-dipole approximation.
We can bypass this fundamental limitation with synthetic chiral light1, which is locally chiral (within the electric-dipole approximation): the tip of the electric field vector draws a chiral, 3D Lissajous curve in time, at each point in space, see [1]. Control over the temporal structure of the optical field enables the highest possible degree of control over the enantio-sensitive response of chiral matter: quenching it in one enantiomer while maximising it in its mirror twin.
This PhD project aims to expand the emerging field of Attosecond Chiral Physics by developing new optical methods for efficient chiral discrimination1-3, enantio-separation, and ultrafast imaging and control of chiral electron and nuclear dynamics, which occur at the attosecond to femtosecond timescales.
The selected candidate will join the Extreme Light Consortium (https://www.imperial.ac.uk/a-z-research/quantum-optics-and-laser-science/research/laser-consortium/) of the Blackett Laboratory. They will develop theoretical and numerical approaches, and will have the opportunity to be involved in pioneering experiments.
Applicants should hold a MSc in Physics, Chemistry, or a closely related subject by the start of the studentship, and have a strong interest in theoretical and computational methods for Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics. Potential candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Applications are being reviewed as received, and we will continue to do so until the position is filled.
For more information, please contact Dr David Ayuso on [Email Address Removed].
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