Speaker
Description
The interaction between matter and the quantum fluctuations of light in cavities can lead to novel exotic states of matter. Previous theoretical investigations into this area have produced conflicting outcomes, creating obstacles for further research. In this talk, I pinpoint the source of these discrepancies to the inherently divergent nature of local quantum light fluctuations in vacuum. To overcome this challenge, we introduce a new computational approach that calculates the effective mass changes in free electrons due to alterations in the local photon density of states within cavities compared to free space. Our findings demonstrate a slight reduction in electron mass in Fabry-Perot cavities, contrary to earlier studies. Meanwhile, surface phonon polaritons are shown to significantly increase electron mass, potentially achieving ultra-strong coupling. This highlights surface phonon polaritons as a promising avenue for controlling the properties of 2D materials.
