  We theoretically investigate the role of chiral-transitions in the quantum
friction force that acts on a two-level atom that moves with relative velocity
v parallel to a planar metallic surface. We find that the friction force has a
component that is sensitive to the handedness of the atomic transition dipole
moment. In the particular, we show that the friction force due to a particular
atomic transition can be enhanced by a dipole moment with a certain handedness,
and almost suppressed by the dipole moment with the opposite handedness.
Curiously, the handedness of the transition dipole moment that boosts the
ground-state friction force is the opposite of what is classically expected
from the spin-momentum locking. We explain this discrepancy in terms of the
interaction between positive and negative frequency oscillators.
