A search for spin effects in low-energy electron scattering from optically active camphor

Abstract

It was recently suggested that spin polarisation effects might occur in electron scattering from optically active molecules due to 'parity violation', i.e. originating from the lack of inversion symmetry in the target. This suggestion has been put to an experimental test. Elastic scattering experimentals were performed on camphor at 25 eV in the angular range between 40 degrees and 70 degrees . The polarisation is found to be less than the error margin of 0.5% (two standard deviations).