Groundbreaking Molecular Findings Enable Direct Manipulation of Electrons, Enhancing Pharmaceutical Safety Standards

In a groundbreaking discovery, a team of researchers at ETH Zurich, led by Prof. Gérard Mourou, have demonstrated that molecular 'handedness' is not just a structural feature but also an electronic phenomenon. The team's findings, published in the prestigious journal Nature, could revolutionise the way scientists study the building blocks of life and pave the way for advancements in drug design, molecular electronics, and advanced sensing technologies.

The research, which used ultra-fast flashes of circularly polarized light, allowed the team to measure and manipulate the different movements of electrons in mirror-image molecules. This effect, known as photoelectron circular dichroism (PECD), describes how electrons are emitted differently depending on whether a molecule is left- or right-handed.

By overlaying this with a second, circularly polarized infrared beam, the team not only measured how quickly electrons were ejected from chiral molecules after excitation but also steered the preferred direction of their motion. This breakthrough showed that chirality is not a static property but a dynamic electronic phenomenon.

Until now, chirality has mostly been considered a structural feature of molecules. However, the study revealed that chirality isn't just about molecular shape, but also about the dynamic behavior of electrons. This discovery could change how scientists study the building blocks of life.

The researchers used a unique electron "flash camera" to deliver circularly polarized attosecond pulses, essential to capture electron dynamics on their natural timescale. The outcome depended on the molecule's handedness, the rotation of the light beams, and their relative phase shift, showing that electron dynamics can now be both observed and actively controlled.

The team managed to reverse the emission pattern of electrons, a feat never demonstrated before. This opens doors to more precise drug testing, molecular electronics, spintronics, and next-generation biosensors.

Neetika Walter, the author of this article, has over a decade-long career in journalism, covering politics, business, technology, and the clean energy sector. The results of this research are expected to have far-reaching implications across various fields, making it a significant milestone in the world of science.

Groundbreaking Molecular Findings Enable Direct Manipulation of Electrons, Enhancing Pharmaceutical Safety Standards