Mathematical models of homochiralisation by grinding of crystals
arXiv:1007.3184
Abstract
We review the existing mathematical models which describe physicochemical mechanisms capable of producing a symmetry-breaking transition to a state in which one chirality dominates the other. A new model is proposed, with the aim of elucidating the fundamental processes at work in the crystal grinding systems of Viedma [Phys Rev Lett 94, 065504, (2005)] and Noorduin [J Am Chem Soc 130, 1158, (2008)]. We simplify the model as far as possible to uncover the fundamental competitive process which causes the symmetry-breaking, and analyse other simplifications which might be expected to show symmetry-breaking.
36 pp, 13 figs, to appear in Origins of Life and Evolution of Biospheres