Molecular matter-wave interferometry enables novel strategies for manipulating the internal mechanical motion of complex molecules. Here, we show how chiral molecules can be prepared in a quantum superposition of two enantiomers by far-field matter-wave diffraction and how the resulting tunneling dynamics can be observed. We determine the impact of rovibrational phase averaging and propose a setup for sensing enantiomer-dependent forces, parity-violating weak interactions, and environment-induced superselection of handedness, as suggested to resolve Hund’s paradox. Using ab initio tunneling calculations, we identify [4]-helicene derivatives as promising candidates to implement the proposal with state-of-the-art techniques. This work opens the door for quantum sensing with chiral molecules.

中文翻译：

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手性分子物质波干涉的对映体叠加

分子物质波干涉法为操纵复杂分子的内部机械运动提供了新的策略。在这里，我们展示了如何通过远场物质波衍射在两种对映异构体的量子叠加中制备手性分子，以及如何观察由此产生的隧道动力学。我们确定了振动相位平均的影响，并提出了一种用于感知对映异构体依赖力、违反奇偶性的弱相互作用和环境诱导的手性超选择的设置，如解决洪德悖论的建议。使用ab initio隧道计算，我们将 [4]-helicene 衍生物确定为使用最先进技术实施该提案的有希望的候选者。这项工作为手性分子的量子传感打开了大门。