SPIN ONE-HALF OPTICAL-ACTIVITY

Spin one-half optical activity, i.e., the various polarization effects caused by the scattering of spin one-half particles from chiral molec ules, is discussed. We show how spin one-half circular dichroism and o ptical rotation may be easily understood as arising from a spin-depend ent index of refraction and present an order of magnitude estimate for these effects for the specific case of sodium atom scattering. We fin d that sodium atom optical rotation is on the order of 10(-3) n deg/cm where n is molar density of scatterers. With present technology the m easurability of this effect is poor. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.