X-ray diffraction from chiral molecules with twisted beams
Phys. Rev. A 114, 023101 – Published 3 August, 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/7z6s-dky4
Abstract
Structured x-rays carrying an orbital angular momentum break spatial inversion symmetry and have been proposed as probes of chirality. We theoretically investigate twisted nonresonant x-ray diffraction from chiral molecules and demonstrate that no dichroic signal can arise from randomly oriented molecules, irrespective of the beam spatial profile. However, a dichroic response emerges for oriented molecules. Our results establish the beam and sample conditions for which a measurable dichroic scattering signal survives axial and focal averaging.
