ArXiv · 2026
The origin of chirality-induced spin selectivity (CISS) remains elusive, and ultrahigh spin polarization (SP) in topologically knotted molecules is unexplained. We develop a discrete geometric spin-orbit coupling (SOC) framework for molecular junctions, resolving site-specific curvature and current-partition effects beyond continuous models. For trefoil-knot molecules, it quantifies site-resolved geometric SOC, reaching ∼120 meV, nearly two orders of magnitude larger than intrinsic SOC of light atoms. The substrate-coupled benzene unit, carrying the largest current and remarkable geometric SOC, dominates the CISS effect. The framework quantitatively reproduces measured SP, temperature-dependent magnetoresistance (MR) and ΔMR trends, establishing discrete geometric SOC as a predictive tool for CISS in topologically knotted molecules.
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