A new experiment to investigate the origin of optical activity using a low energy positron beam of controlled helicity

In recent years many experiments have been undertaken in search of a correlation between the origin of optical activity in biological molecules and the helicity of beta particles emitted in nuclear beta decay. These experiments have shown null or ambiguous results. The authors discuss an experiment now in progress in which a low energy polarized positron beam of controlled helicity interacts with an optically active material to form positronium in vacuum. Initially it will be possible to detect a helicity dependent asymmetry in triplet positronium formation of 1 part in 104. Improvements to better than 1 part in 105 should be possible. The work may therefore have up to 104 times the sensitivity of prior experiments to the effect under consideration. (Auth.)