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arXiv · 1304.6767

Casimir Momentum of a Chiral Molecule in a Magnetic Field

Manuel Donaire·Bart van Tiggelen·Geert L. J. A. Rikken
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Abstract

In a classical description, a neutral, polarizable object acquires a kinetic momentum when exposed to crossed electric and magnetic fields. In the presence of only a magnetic field no such momentum exists classically, although it is symmetry-allowed for an object lacking mirror symmetry. We perform a full QED calculation to show that the quantum vacuum coupled to a chiral molecule provides a kinetic "Casimir" momentum directed along the magnetic field, proportional to its rotatory power and the fine structure constant.

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Manuel Donaire, Bart van Tiggelen, Geert L. J. A. Rikken. 2013-10-09. Casimir Momentum of a Chiral Molecule in a Magnetic Field. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevlett.111.143602

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