Polariton Chemistry: controlling molecular dynamics with optical cavities

TL;DR

This paper reviews how molecular polaritons, formed by strong coupling of molecular transitions with confined light, can be used to control chemical reactions and energy transfer, opening new avenues in molecular photonics and chemistry.

Contribution

It provides an overview of the theoretical frameworks for understanding molecular polaritons and discusses their potential applications in controlling chemical processes.

Findings

Polaritons enable long-range energy transfer.

Strong coupling can modify chemical reaction pathways.

Theoretical models guide experimental design.

Abstract

Molecular polaritons are the optical excitations which emerge when molecular transitions interact strongly with confined electromagnetic fields. Increasing interest in the hybrid molecular-photonic materials that host these excitations stems from recent observations of their novel and tunable chemistry. Some of the remarkable functionalities exhibited by polaritons include the ability to induce long-range excitation energy transfer, enhance charge conductivity, and inhibit or enhance chemical reactions. In this review, we explain the effective theories of molecular polaritons which form a basis for the interpretation and guidance of experiments at the strong coupling limit. The theoretical discussion is illustrated with the analysis of innovative applications of strongly coupled molecular-photonic systems to chemical phenomena of fundamental importance to future technologies.