Abstract: A system for characterizing chiral molecules including an interaction zone arranged to receive a sample of chiral molecules; a laser source arranged to emit pulsed laser radiation, the laser radiation being suitable for interacting with the molecules in the interaction zone; a polarization modulator arranged to elliptically polarize the laser radiation; an optical cavity configured to redirect the pulsed laser radiation into the interaction zone several times; a detector arranged to measure a chiroptical signal produced by the interaction between the molecules and the laser radiation; and a determiner arranged and/or programmed to determine at least the chirality of the molecules from the detected chiroptical signal.

Abstract: A method for measuring the chirality of molecules in a sample of chiral molecules, the sample including at least one chemical species, the method including the steps of: introducing the sample of chiral molecules into an ionisation area; ionising the molecules by electromagnetic radiation in the ionisation area; and detecting a distribution of electrons produced by ionisation and emitted at the front and back of the ionisation area relative to the axis, z, of propagation of the electromagnetic radiation; wherein the electromagnetic radiation is elliptically polarised, the ellipticity varying continuously and periodically as a function of time, the method further including a step of: determining the chirality of the molecules from the electron distribution detected continuously as a function of time. A system is also provided for measuring the chirality of molecules using such a method.

Abstract: A method for measuring the chirality of molecules in a sample of chiral molecules, the sample including at least one chemical species, the method including the steps of: introducing the sample of chiral molecules into an ionisation area; ionising the molecules by electromagnetic radiation in the ionisation area; and detecting a distribution of electrons produced by ionisation and emitted at the front and back of the ionisation area relative to the axis, z, of propagation of the electromagnetic radiation; wherein the electromagnetic radiation is elliptically polarised, the ellipticity varying continuously and periodically as a function of time, the method further including a step of: determining the chirality of the molecules from the electron distribution detected continuously as a function of time. A system is also provided for measuring the chirality of molecules using such a method.