Vibrational polaritons: theory and computation
Abstract
When optical microcavities host dense solutions or films of infrared-active molecules, new hybrid modes emerge which are coherent superpositions of microcavity electromagnetic and molecular vibrational modes; they are known as vibrational polaritons. These systems can be regarded as part of a new generation of quantum molecular materials which exhibit hybrid physicochemical properties at room-temperature that neither of their bare components feature, and thus, are attractive from both a fundamental and a technological standpoint. In this proposal, we develop a comprehensive theoretical and computational framework to understand the emergent linear and nonlinear optical properties of vibrational polaritons in realistic thermal and lossy environments, as well as the novel opportunities thatthese vibrational polariton systems offer in terms of control or modification of remote vibrational energy transfer and chemical reactivity. This effort requires novel theoretical studies at the crossroads of a variety of disciplines, including theoretical chemistry, solid state physics, quantum optics, and nanophotonics. The payout is expected to be high, presumably including unprecedented ways of processing infrared photons, designing new molecular spectroscopies, transferring vibrational energy, or making and breaking chemical bonds. Our proposal is well in-line with the goals of the Theoretical Chemistry program of AFOSR in terms of the development of predictive tools to design compact energetic molecular materials with nontrivial chemical pathways that can be harnessed in US Air Force missions.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jul 11, 2018
- Source ID
- FA95501810289
Entities
People
- Joel Yuen Zhou
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- United States Air Force
- University of California, San Diego