Meta-atoms and chiral resonators for new optical vacua
Dr. Denis G. Baranov,
Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (Russia)
21/04/2022, 12:00 MSK / 11:00 CET
Abstract
Strong coupling is a distinct regime of light−matter interaction, when the Rabi frequency exceeds the dissipation rates of the system. This regime of interaction manifests itself in coherent oscillations of energy between the matter and photonic subsystems. Typically, this regime is attained by coupling quantum emitters to optical cavities. However, very limited oscillator strength of quantum emitters leads only to moderate coupling strengths.
In this talk I will present an alternative platform for realization of polaritonic states. To that end, we leverage plasmonic resonances of metallic “molecules” having much larger oscillator strength, and study potential effects of coupling these meta-atoms to optical cavities. I will show that we can reach ultrastrong coupling between plasmonic meta-atoms and cavity photons by packing a single layer of plasmonic nanorods inside a Fabry-Perot microcavity. This simple platform allows us to reach the ultrastrong coupling regime at room temperature, atmospheric pressure, and without the use of magnetic fields. Furthermore, we can leverage the concept of plasmonic meta-atoms in order to boost the vibrational light−matter coupling strength in organic platforms, which may have impoprtant implications on our ability to modify the kitetics of chemical reactions.
Next, we make our plasmonic meta-atoms chiral and study the effect of coupling these meta-atoms to cavity modes. At the same time, we reveal fundamental limitations on the enhancement of dichroic effects in planar resonators. To overcome this difficulty, I will present the model of a single-handedness chiral optical cavity supporting only an eigenmode of a given handedness without the presence of modes of other helicity. This structure expands the set of tools for investigations of chiral matter and opening the door towards studies of chiral electromagnetic vacuum states.
About the speaker
Denis Baranov received his Ph.D. degree in physics from Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology in 2016. He worked as a postdoctoral researcher at Chalmers University of Technology, and now he is a senior researcher in Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology. His research is focused on counter-intuitive and extraordinary effects of interaction between light and matter. Those include the general aspects of scattering theory by resonant systems, processes of perfect electromagnetic absorption and lasing, behavior of coupled quantum emitter-cavity systems, and the properties of the vacuum state of optical structures.
Date & Location
The event will be taking place on zoom on the 21st of April 2022 at 12:00 MSK time (11:00 CET).
Access details:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81041605982?pwd=M3I4eHVFS0h1ekRnamlTYytZempuUT09
Meeting ID: 810 4160 5982 / Passcode: 744417
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