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Chiral molecules in polarised light

Markus Ilchen from the University of Hamburg and Arno Ehresmann from the University of Kassel are investigating at the SQS instrument of European XFEL how polarised light knocks electrons out of chiral molecules. Chiral molecules have both a “left” and a “right” configuration – just as we have a left and a right hand. Depending on the polarisation of the X-ray light, the electrons are ejected in different directions, especially if there are electrical charges at certain points in the molecule. In their experiment, the team investigated gaseous methyloxirane (C3H6O). It is used for dyes, flavourings, antioxidants, emulsifiers and enzymes, among other things. The measurement with the X-ray flashes of European XFEL is so fast that the atoms of the molecule do not have time to move. This allows to investigate the pure influence of the charges.