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Updated: Dec 22, 2025
12:21
Stimulated Stokes and Antistokes Raman Scattering in Microspherical Whispering Gallery Mode Resonators
Published on: April 4, 2016
11.6K
Intermolecular vibrational energy transfer enabled by microcavity strong light-matter coupling.
Bo Xiang1, Raphael F Ribeiro2, Matthew Du2
1Materials Science and Engineering Program, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|May 9, 2020
Summary
Strong coupling via polaritons enables efficient molecular vibrational energy transfer in liquids. This breakthrough, achieved using advanced spectroscopy, paves the way for new applications in chemistry and sensing.
Area of Science:
- Chemical Physics
- Molecular Spectroscopy
- Quantum Optics
Background:
- Vibrational energy transfer in liquids is typically inefficient due to weak intermolecular forces.
- Achieving selective energy transfer between molecules is crucial for chemical processes and sensing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate efficient and selective vibrational energy transfer between molecules in the liquid phase.
- To investigate the role of polaritons in mediating this energy transfer process.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing strong coupling between cavity photon modes and molecular vibrations (donor and acceptor molecules).
- Employing advanced spectroscopic techniques, including pump-probe and two-dimensional infrared spectroscopy.
Main Results:
- Excitation of the upper polariton efficiently transfers energy to acceptor molecules within picoseconds.
- Energy transfer efficiency increases with enhanced cavity lifetime, confirming a polaritonic mechanism.
- Demonstrated selective vibrational energy transfer mediated by molecular polaritons.
Conclusions:
- Polaritons provide a powerful pathway for controlling and enhancing vibrational energy transfer in liquids.
- This approach offers potential for novel applications in remote chemistry, advanced sensing mechanisms, and vibrational polariton condensation.
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