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Single-molecule optomechanics in "picocavities".

Felix Benz1, Mikolaj K Schmidt2, Alexander Dreismann1

  • 1NanoPhotonics Centre, Cavendish Laboratory, Department of Physics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0HE, UK.

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Noble metal nanostructures trap light, enabling optical experiments at the atomic scale. Researchers achieved this by creating "picocavities" below 1 cubic nanometer, enhancing light-matter interactions for quantum optics.

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Area of Science:

  • Plasmonics and Nanophotonics
  • Quantum Optics
  • Atomic Scale Physics

Background:

  • Noble metal nanostructures can confine light beyond the diffraction limit.
  • Existing methods typically achieve light confinement to ~30 cubic nanometers.
  • Optical experiments at the atomic scale remain a significant challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the possibility of achieving optical confinement below 1 cubic nanometer.
  • To investigate the formation and stability of atomic-scale optical cavities.
  • To enhance light-matter interactions for nanoscale quantum optics.

Main Methods:

  • Utilizing plasmonic nanoassemblies with noble metal nanostructures.
  • Employing laser irradiation to dynamically form and disassemble atomic features within nanoassembly gaps.
  • Stabilizing atomic features at cryogenic temperatures for extended probing.
  • Measuring optomechanical coupling enhancement.

Main Results:

  • Demonstrated light localization to volumes below 1 cubic nanometer ("picocavities").
  • Observed dynamic formation and disassembly of atomic features via laser irradiation.
  • Achieved stable picocavities at cryogenic temperatures, enabling minutes-long probing.
  • Reported a 10^6 enhancement in optomechanical coupling between picocavity fields and molecular bond vibrations.

Conclusions:

  • Atomic features in plasmonic nanoassemblies can create picocavities for atomic-scale optical experiments.
  • Picocavities offer unprecedented light confinement and enhanced optomechanical coupling.
  • This work lays the foundation for single-molecule nonlinear quantum optics.