Spontaneous and directed symmetry breaking in the formation of chiral nanocrystals

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Abstract
Significance: Processes which break symmetry have always attracted the interest of scientists, as they are at the heart of many natural phenomena, from particle physics to biology. In life, the mirror symmetry breaking of biomolecules has been the subject of extensive debate and theoretical modeling. Hence, well-controlled model systems which break chiral symmetry are of great interest. We report on chiral amplification in the formation of chiral inorganic nanocrystals, leading to random breaking of mirror symmetry below a critical temperature. This symmetry breaking can be sensitively directed to a particular handedness by specific chiral biomolecules. The observed symmetry breaking is analyzed as a phase transition analogous to the ferromagnetic–paramagnetic transition in metals.
Funding Information
  • Israel Science Foundation (507/14)

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