2001/01/29 by R. M. Kiehn, Kiehn, R. M.
Chemistry · Physics and Astronomy · #Chemical Physics (physics.chem-ph) #FOS: Physical sciences #Mechanical and Optical Resonators #Molecular spectroscopy and chirality #Optics (physics.optics) #Origins and Evolution of Life #physics.chem-ph #physics.optics
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.physics/0101101
16 pages TEX
arxiv created 2001/01/29 · openalex publication_date 2001/01/29 · arxiv updated 2009/12/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
In this article the concept of enantiomorphism is developed in terms of topological, rather than geometrical, concepts. Chirality is to be associated with enantiomorphic pairs which induce Optical Activity, while Helicity is to be associated enantiomorphic pairs which induce a Faraday effect. Experimentally, the existence of enantiomorphic pairs is associated with the lack of a center of symmetry, which is also serves as a necessary condition for Optical Activity. However, Faraday effects may or may not require a lack of a center of symmetry. The two species of enantiomorphic pairs are distinct, as the rotation of the plane of polarization by Optical Activity is a reciprocal phenomenon, while rotation of the plane of polarization by the Faraday effect is a non-reciprocal phenomenon. From a topological viewpoint, Maxwell's electrodynamics indicates that the concept of Chirality is to be associated with a third rank tensor density of Topological Spin induced by the interaction of the 4 vector potentials A,phi and the field excitations D,H. The distinct concept of Helicity is to be associated with the third rank tensor field of Topological Torsion induced by the interaction of the 4 vector potentials and field intensities E,B.