Strong chiral optical force for small chiral molecules based on electric-dipole interactions, inspired by the asymmetrical hydrozoan Velella velella

Abstract Drawing inspiration from a remarkable chiral force found in nature, we show that static electric field combined with an optical lin ⊥ polarization standing wave can exert on small molecule is several orders of magnitude stronger than other forces proposed to date, being based leading electric-dipole interactions rather relying weak magnetic-dipole and electric-quadrupole interactions. Our applies most molecules, including isotopically does not require specific energy-level structure. Potential applications range molecular matter-wave interferometry for precision metrology tests fundamental physics the resolution enantiomers use chemistry biology.