Could dark matter or neutrinos discriminate between the enantiomers of a chiral molecule?

Details Could dark matter or neutrinos discriminate between the enantiomers of a chiral molecule? Could dark matter or neutrinos discriminate between the enantiomers of a chiral molecule?

2008-02-15

arxiv.org/abs/0802.2164v1

Europhys.Lett.82:13002,2008

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

Scientific paper

10.1209/0295-5075/82/13002

We examine the effect of cold dark matter on the discrimination between the two enantiomers of a chiral molecule. We estimate the energy difference between the two enantiomers due to the interaction between fermionic WIMPs (weak interacting massive particles) and molecular electrons on the basis that electrons have opposite helicities in opposite enantiomers. It is found that this energy difference is completely negligible. Dark matter could then be discarded as an inductor of chiroselection between enantiomers and then of biological homochirality. However, the effect of cosmological neutrinos, revisited with the currently accepted neutrino density, would reach, in the most favorable case, an upper bound of the same order of magnitude as the energy difference obtained from the well known electroweak electron-nucleus interaction in some molecules.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Could dark matter or neutrinos discriminate between the enantiomers of a chiral molecule? does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Could dark matter or neutrinos discriminate between the enantiomers of a chiral molecule?, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Could dark matter or neutrinos discriminate between the enantiomers of a chiral molecule? will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-38199