(MURI) Unlocking polariton chemistry with systematic molecular and photonic design
Abstract
Modern optoelectronic devices frequently rely on the integration of optically active materials into microcavities. The microcavity confines the light field to intensify the interaction with the absorbing material. In the limit where the absorber and microcavity are tuned to be in resonance, the interaction can be strong enough to couple the light and active material, leading to the formation of novel, mixed light-matter states known as polaritons. Being part-light and part-matter, polaritons have unique properties that are attractive for a variety of applications. The proposed work is focused on molecular polaritons, where the active material consists of conjugated organic molecules. Molecular polaritons are attractive for their robustness and stability at room temperature, attractive for eventual application in devices. Prior reports suggest exciting applications in optoelectronics and optical computing, as well as in realizing photonically engineered materials with tailored optical-electrical properties and chemical reactivity. Despite this, the underlying mechanisms governing molecular polariton behavior are poorly understood, preventing an effective design methodology to harness these states. This program is underpinned by a need to better understand the interplay between polaritons and other states in the system (termed dark states), while also elucidating active material and microcavity design rules to manipulate polariton behavior. Indeed, the field lacks a systematic materials perspective to connect active material structure to function. In particular, molecular polaritons are often examined in disordered films embedded in low quality factor cavities, complicating interpretation and predictive modeling. To unlock the full potential of molecular polaritons, it is essential to first systematically understand the dependence of dynamics on material and photonic design. This will be realized by focusing on two central research thrusts. First, the team will work to tailor polariton properties by engineering active material order and microcavity design. Second, this program will develop design rules to direct polariton-mediated energy and charge transfer, establishing the limits on behavior that will dictate eventual application. Realization of program goals requires innovation in materials processing and cavity design, ultrafast spectroscopic characterization, and materials theory and simulation. It is our hypothesis that many challenges in the field reflect an underlying lack of control and critical need to engineer both the active material and optical cavity from the bottom up, with continual connection to theory in order to guide innovation. The multi-disciplinary team consists of three faculty members from academic disciplines spanning the chemical sciences and engineering at three universities. All investigators are leading researchers capable of attracting top students and postdoctoral associates to work on the project. Expertise spans materials-device engineering, ultrafast spectroscopy, and theory from the molecular to material scale. This team is well-equipped to advance the field of molecular polaritonics on several fronts, culminating in the new and detailed fundamental insight needed for systematic applications.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Mar 07, 2024
- Source ID
- FA95502310645
Entities
People
- Russell Holmes
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- Regents of the University of Minnesota
- United States Air Force