Consequences of chirality on the response of materials

Abstract

Chirality refers to the absence of a mirror image related symmetry in objects, materials and molecules. As a consequence of the absence of these symmetry elements, chiral materials show a number of properties and effects which are forbidden in achiral materials. Here we review new optical, optoelectronic and mechanical properties that chiral materials can have but are not allowed in mirror symmetric compounds. In particular, we investigate out-of-equilibrium systems where spatial and time-inversion symmetry provides a framework to understand and control electronic transport and molecular rotational motion.