Understanding parity violation in molecular systems.

Parity-violation energy (E(PV)) due to weak nuclear interactions between nucleons and electrons in chiral molecular systems provides a fundamental tool to verify our understanding of electronic behavior in complex systems. We used both a relativistic and a nonrelativistic approach to study a number of simple molecules and analyze the corresponding E(PV) in terms of intuitive electrodynamic concepts. We developed a qualitative model to predict the sign of E(PV) and its behavior against selected geometric distortions. Our model provides a valuable tool to screen large sets of molecules and select interesting candidates for more expensive investigations.