title: Casimir momentum of a chiral molecule in a magnetic field.
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 it with a kinetic "Casimir" momentum directed along the magnetic field, and proportional to its molecular rotatory power and to the fine structure constant.
authors.affiliation: Université Grenoble 1/CNRS, LPMMC UMR 5493, 25 rue des Martyrs, Maison des Magistères, 38042 Grenoble, France and LNCMI, UPR 3228 CNRS/INSA/UJF Grenoble 1/UPS, 143 Avenue de Rangueil, 31400 Toulouse and 25 rue des Martyrs, 38042 Grenoble, France.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Donaire
authors.forename: B A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: van Tiggelen
authors.forename: G L J A
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Rikken