Selective preparation of enantiomers by laser pulses:: quantum model simulation for H2POSH

This Letter presents the first quantum model simulation of the selective preparation of enantiomers by means of optimal, elliptically polarized, infrared picosecond laser pulses. The laser-driven molecular dynamics is demonstrated by the time evolution of the representative wavepacket, from the initial state which corresponds to a 50:50% racemate of two equivalent enantiomers with opposite chiralities towards the nearly 100:0% preparation of a single enantiomer. The wavepacket dynamics is based on the quantum ab initio potential energy surface and dipole functions for the torsional vibration of the hydrogen atom around the P-S molecular axis of the model system H2POSH. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All nights reserved.