Speaker
Philip Thomas
(University of Exeter)
Description
The prospect of modifying chemical processes by strong coupling molecules to vacuum fields is one that has generated a huge level of excitement [1]. However, concerns around the reproducibility of key experiments and a greater appreciation of the complexity of cavity-based physics have led to increasing caution in how experimental results are interpreted [2, 3].
In this talk I will argue that an unsystematic approach to polaritonic chemistry experiments can make it difficult to disentangle a variety of competing effects:
- Non-polaritonic phenomena can produce measurable effects that can be misattributed to strong coupling [4].
- Strong coupling can produce unexpected polaritonic side-effects that can lead to errors in the estimation of chemical reaction rates [5].
- Cognitive bias can cause us to misattribute an apparent change in material properties to strong coupling [6].
These results emphasise the importance of systematic experimentation and further highlight the need for a deeper understanding of the fundamentals of strong coupling and chemistry in multimode cavities.
References:
- F. J. García-Vidal, C. Ciuti & T. W. Ebbesen. “Manipulating matter by strong coupling to vacuum fields.” Science 2021, 373, eabd0336
- B. S. Simpkins, A. D. Dunkelberger & J. C. Owrutsky. “Mode-Specific Chemistry through Vibrational Strong Coupling (or A Wish Come True).” J. Phys. Chem. C 2021, 125, 19081.
- T. Khazanov et al. “Embrace the darkness: An experimental perspective on organic exciton–polaritons.” Chem. Rev. Phys. 2023, 4, 041305.
- P. A. Thomas et al. “Non-Polaritonic Effects in Cavity-Modified Photochemistry.” Adv. Mater. 2024, 36, 2309393.
- P. A. Thomas & W. L. Barnes. “Strong coupling-induced frequency shifts of highly detuned photonic modes in multimode cavities.” Under Review.
- P. A. Thomas & W. L. Barnes. “Selection Bias in Strong Coupling Experiments.” J. Phys. Chem. Lett. 2024, 15, 6, 1708–1710.
Primary author
Philip Thomas
(University of Exeter)
