Spin-dependent electron transmission model for chiral molecules in mesoscopic devices

Experimental observations have suggested that certain chiral molecules may be able to function as spin polarizers, an effect that promises new spintronic applications but whose mechanism remains unclear. Here, the authors bypass the microscopic origin of the effect and approach it by applying universal theorems of electrical conduction to mesoscopic devices that contain chiral molecules. This leads to a theoretical model that can quantitatively evaluate transport experiments and distinguish spin signals related to chiral molecules from other magnetic field dependent signals.