Spin-dependent features of electron scattering from optically active molecules

It is shown on the basis of symmetry arguments that electron scattering from optically active molecules is accompanied by spin polarisation effects which are clearly distinguishable from those due to spin-orbit interactions. The electron spin polarisation phenomena are analogous to the optical effects associated with optical activity. The key to both classes of phenomena is the lack of inversion symmetry (parity violation) in the structure of the target molecules.