What is occuring on the quantum level when a molecule rotates plane polarized light?

Question

What is occuring on the quantum level when a molecule rotates plane polarized light?\n\nAlso, why do enantiomers then rotate light in opposite directions? I would think that the electromagnetic waves would interact with the transient electric and magnetic fields within the molecule itself as it propagates and therefore the light changes direction as it passes through the molecule. However with this idea there seems to be a problem with the fact that all the molecules wouldn't be oriented in the same directions and thus scatter the light in all directions rather than a net rotation in one direction of the light. I am looking for an explanation using electromagnetism if it can be explained at that level or if it cannot, the quantum mechanical answer would be fine as well.

Answer 1

This is a very, very good question. I will review and return to it---in the mean time, notice that an optically active sample (an enantiomer) can have isotopic 3d distribution, but it's polarization vector's relation to it's electronic distribution (which interacts with the electric vector of plane polarized light) will not change no matter which way you rotate or translate the enantiomer. Prior to reviewing, I would venture to guess this is related, whether clearly communicated or not (venture...).