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Coherent Light Harvesting through Strong Coupling to Confined Light
Gerrit Groenhof1, J Jussi Toppari2
1Department of Chemistry and Nanoscience Center , P.O. Box 35, FIN-40014 University of Jyväskylä , Finland.
The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters
|August 8, 2018
Summary
Strongly coupled light-matter states, called polaritons, can mediate energy transfer. In simulations, excitation rapidly localized onto photoreactive molecules, enabling chemical reactions for light harvesting.
Area of Science:
- Photochemistry
- Quantum optics
- Materials science
Background:
- Photoactive molecules can form hybrid light-matter states (polaritons) when strongly coupled to confined light modes.
- Polaritons, coherent superpositions of molecular and photon excitations, have shown potential in mediating energy transfer beyond traditional limits.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the potential of strong coupling for light-harvesting applications.
- To investigate the behavior of polaritons in mixtures of photoreactive and non-photo-reactive molecules.
Main Methods:
- Atomistic molecular dynamics simulations were employed.
- Simulations involved mixtures of photoreactive and non-photo-reactive molecules strongly coupled to a single confined light mode.
- Varying concentrations and spatial separation of molecules were considered.
Main Results:
- Initial excitation was delocalized across all molecules and the light mode.
- Excitation rapidly localized onto a single photoreactive molecule.
- The localized excitation initiated a chemical reaction.
Conclusions:
- Strong coupling and polariton formation show promise for light-harvesting applications.
- The rapid localization of excitation onto photoreactive molecules is a key mechanism for initiating reactions.
- This phenomenon could be harnessed for efficient energy transfer and chemical transformations.
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