Chiral Separation and Preferential Crystallization under External Stimuli Analyzed via Chirality Tensor

We previously introduced the chirality tensor as a tool for distinguishing the handedness of chiral objects and demonstrated that enantiomorphs can be separated by rotating them around their eigenvectors using a magnetic field. To extend this approach to real chiral crystals, it is essential to understand the relationship between their magnetic response and geometric chirality. In this study, we investigate the correlation between the chirality tensor and the magnetic susceptibility tensor of chiral crystals. By calculating chirality tensors for model crystal habits belonging to chiral point groups, we identified a strong correlation between the two tensors, suggesting the feasibility of separating racemic conglomerates using a rotating magnetic field. The chirality tensor enables coupling between torque and translation, as well as between force and rotation. Focusing on this coupling behavior, we further explored crystallization under external stimuli and found that symmetry breaking may occur during the early stages of crystal growth.