2023 Electron Spin Interactions with Chiral Molecules and Materials Gordon Research Conference
Abstract
Organic molecules and structuresÑthe building blocks of all organismsÑcommonly exhibit a well-defined chirality. For example, amino acids, enzymes, and various sugars all break inversion symmetry. This property was first discovered by Louis Pasteur, who observed that shining linearly polarized light on organic molecules in their natural form rotates the polarization axis; thus drawing the connection between chiral molecules and their optical activity. Recent experiments have found that, in addition to being optically active, chiral organic molecules also exhibit strongly spin-dependent electronic transport. This effect, called chiral induced spin selectivity (CISS), has opened a new field of research that lies at the intersection of biology, chemistry, and physics. While it has been known since the early 20th century that electrons possess a spin in addition to their charge (a classical analogue is to consider the electron like a charged top that is spinning about its axis). Although the importance of spin for the structure of matter is well known and is widely considered in physics, chemistry, and biology, the connection between the electron spin and molecular chirality has only emerged over the past twenty years with the discovery of CISS. While CISS has many direct implications in chemistry, its importance for biological processes and for manipulating spin information in electronic devices are generating strong interest in the research community. The suggested Gordon Research Conference on Electron Spin Interactions with Chiral Molecules and Materials, hosted July 30 - August 4, 2023 in Manchester, New Hampshire USA, will cover the theoretical concepts underlying the relations between chiral symmetry and the electron spin; and will be open to all manifestations of this phenomenon The conference will bring together researchers from chemistry, biology, physics, and engineering. Major goals of the conference are to raise awareness among researchers of the relationship between electron spin and chiral molecules (and materials), to provide an interdisciplinary forum where CISS-related research being conducted in the different fields, and to stimulate new collaborations. Particular subjects that will be discussed at the meeting include: (i) The role of spin in efficient long-range electron-transfer through chiral molecules and how it affects biorecognition processes, (ii) Applications of CISS for spin control in chemical reactions, and (iii) Using chiral organic systems for spintronics devices. Ultimately, we aim to create a strong, diverse, and collaborative community in this rapidly evolving new field in order to elucidate the fundamental mechanisms underlying chiral-spin interactions and to reveal potential applications.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Apr 19, 2023
- Source ID
- W911NF2310121
Entities
People
- David H Waldeck
Organizations
- Army Contracting Command
- Gordon Research Conferences
- United States Army