Fourfold Differential Photoelectron Circular Dichroism

We report on a joint experimental and theoretical study of photoelectron circular dichroism (PECD) in methyloxirane. By detecting O 1s photoelectrons in coincidence with fragment ions, we deduce the molecule's orientation and photoelectron emission direction in the laboratory frame. Thereby, we retrieve a fourfold differential PECD clearly beyond 50%. This strong chiral asymmetry is reproduced by ab initio electronic structure calculations. Providing such a pronounced contrast makes PECD of fixed-in-space chiral molecules an even more sensitive tool for chiral recognition in the gas phase.

Automated summary

The study successfully deduced the molecule's orientation and photoelectron emission direction in methyloxirane, achieving a fourfold differential PECD beyond 50%. This strong chiral asymmetry was reproduced by ab initio electronic structure calculations, indicating the potential of PECD as a sensitive tool for chiral recognition in the gas phase.