Quantum effects in the optical activity of alpha-quartz.
An experiment was proposed to probe quantum effects on optical activity. The helical structures in optically active media act as natural microsolenoids for the electromagnetic waves passing through them, which produces a longitudinal magnetic field in the axis of helices. Magnetic flux through a helical crystal structure is quantized. A high number of quanta in the rotatory power was probed in the optical activity of alpha-quartz.
Tan
C Z
CZ
Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanjing University, 210093 Nanjing, China. tan@chemie.fu-berlin.de
Chen
L
L