Nanowerk December 7, 2020
An international team of researchers (USA – University of Minnesota, University of Maryland, University of Colorado, Vanderbilt University, Spain) developed a unique process in which they achieved “ultra-strong coupling” between infrared light (photons) and matter (atomic vibrations) by trapping light in tiny, annular holes in a thin layer of gold. These nanocavities, like a highly scaled-down version of the coaxial cables that are used to send electrical signals. With this new process to engineer nanometer-sized version of coaxial cables, they are pushing the frontiers of ultra-strong coupling, which means they are discovering new quantum states where matter and light can have very different properties. The discovery provides fundamental new insights for more efficiently developing the next generation of quantum-based optical and electronic devices, infrared absorption can be used as a “fingerprint” to identify different chemicals and the research could also have an impact on increasing efficiency of nanoscale chemical reactions…read more. TECHNICAL ARTICLE
This illustration shows how annular holes in a thin gold film filled with silicon dioxide enable ultra-strong coupling between light and atomic vibrations. Credit: Oh Group, University of Minnesota.