Multidimensional quantum calculation of the infrared spectra under polaritonic vibrational strong and ultrastrong coupling

TL;DR

This paper develops a quantum simulation framework to predict infrared spectra of molecules under vibrational strong and ultrastrong coupling with optical cavities, revealing spectral shifts and enhanced vibrational energy transfer.

Contribution

It introduces a multidimensional quantum simulation method combining cVSCF/VCI for accurate IR spectra prediction under vibrational polaritonic coupling.

Findings

Spectral signatures depend on cavity mode frequency and polarization.

Strong vibrational coupling induces significant intramolecular vibrational energy transfer.

The method accurately predicts IR spectral shifts and splittings.

Abstract

Recent experiments and theory demonstrate that the the ground state properties and chemical reactivity of molecules can be modified inside an optical cavity. The vibrational strong or ultrastrong coupling results in the formation of vibrational polaritons which are usually observed through infrared spectra (IR). Here, we provide a theoretical framework to conduct multidimensional quantum simulations of the infrared spectra when the molecule is interacting with cavity modes. Taking single water molecule as an example, combing with accurate potential energy and dipole moment surfaces, our implemented cavity vibrational self-consistent field/virtual state configuration interaction (cVSCF/VCI) is shown to be able to provide quantitative predictions of the IR spectra when the molecule is inside or outside the cavity. The spectral signatures of resonance splittings and blue/red shift of certain bands are found to be highly related with the frequency and polarization direction of the cavity modes. Further analyses of the simulated spectra shows that polaritonic strong vibrational coupling greatly induce the coupling between molecule's vibrational modes, indicating the intramolecular vibrational energy transfer may be significantly accelerated by the cavity.