Biological Cavity Quantum Electrodynamics via Self-Aligned Nanoring Doublets: QED-SANDs.

Area of Science:

• Quantum optics
• Biophysics
• Materials science

Background:

• Cavity quantum electrodynamics (QED) is crucial for quantum technologies but requires extreme conditions.
• Achieving strong coupling between optical cavities and excitonic matter remains a significant challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a novel system, QED-SANDs, enabling robust room-temperature strong coupling in biological cavity QED.
• To investigate the quantum behavior of biomolecular emitters in nanocavities.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of self-aligned nanoring doublets (QED-SANDs).
• Experimental observation of plasmon-exciton polaritons using scattering and photoluminescence spectroscopy.
• Finite-element modeling and temporal coupled-mode theory for mechanistic elucidation and coupling strength quantification.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated robust room-temperature strong coupling between QED-SANDs and chlorophyll-a.
• Observed plasmon-exciton polaritons with Rabi splitting up to ~200 meV.
• Quantified coupling strength significantly exceeding intrinsic decay rates and observed distinct polariton emission properties.

Conclusions:

• QED-SANDs offer a promising platform for studying biomolecular behavior under quantum effects at room temperature.
• This work advances the field of quantum biology and opens new avenues for quantum information technologies.