We propose a terahertz (far-infrared) circular dichroism-based life-detection technology that may provide a universal and unequivocal spectroscopic signature of living systems regardless of their genesis. We argue that, irrespective of the specifics of their chemistry, all life forms will employ well-structured, chiral, stereochemically pure macromolecules (>500 atoms) as the catalysts with whi...

Native and reconstituted myoglobin were prepared and their c.d. spectra recorded in the Soret region. Time-dependent changes in dichroism following reconstitution were observed and related to haem orientational disorder. Comparative c.d. studies, in agreement with n.m.r. studies, reveal that the degree and nature of this disorder are species-dependent.

Analysis of circular dichroism spectra of proteins provides information about protein secondary structure. Analytical methods developed for such an analysis use structures and spectra of a set of reference proteins. The reference protein sets currently in use include soluble proteins with a wide range of secondary structures, and perform quite well in analyzing CD spectra of soluble proteins. T...

Limonene is ionized by circularly polarized 420 nm femtosecond laser pulses. Ion mass and photoelectron energy spectra identify the dominant (2 + 1) multiphoton ionization mechanism, aided by TDDFT calculations of the Rydberg excitations. Photoelectron circular dichroism measurements on pure enantiomers reveal a chiral asymmetry of ±4 %.

A comparison was made of the circular dichroism (C.D.) spectra of Chlorella, Euglena, and Anacystis cells and thylakoids. Analyses of the spectra reveal that these C.D. bands are similar to those observed previously in whole spinach choloroplasts and subchloroplast particles. C.D. spectra of Euglena chloroplasts show bands at longer wavelengths than previously reported. From comparisons of circ...

We study the linear optical properties of helical cylindrical molecular aggregates accounting for the effects of static diagonal disorder. Absorption, linear dichroism, and circular dichroism spectra are presented, calculated using brute force numerical simulations and a modified version of the coherent potential approximation that accounts for finite size effects by using the appropriate open ...

A substrate surface on which gold particles are distributed is prepared by annealing an ultra-thin gold film to enable glancing angle deposition. By cooling the substrate and controlling its spin rate, two spiral-like and one screw-like gold nanohelix arrays are grown upon the seeded surfaces. The mean helix radius and pitch length are reduced to 17 and 55 nm, respectively. The g-factor of the ...

The dye "Stains-all" combines with calmodulin to yield a series of complex species whose absorption and circular dichroism spectra are sensitive to the presence of Ca2+ or Mg2+. At high dye:calmodulin ratios, the dominant complex formed is characterized by a strong absorption band at 600-650 nm, which is associated with a biphasic circular dichroism band. These spectral features are abolished i...