Photon-mediated hybridization of molecular vibrational states.

Abstract

Light-matter strong coupling is a promising route toward the modification of chemical and physical properties of molecules without formally changing their constituent atoms, bonds, or geometry. The photon-mediated hybridization of vibrational modes of two different molecules simultaneously dissolved in solution is demonstrated in a solution of hexacyanocobaltate(iii) and hexacyanoferrate(ii) ions. The formation of polaritons with tunable contributions from the bonds of each molecule is shown to be feasible within practical concentration ranges for cavity controlled chemistry. The resulting modified energy landscape of the two coupled molecules may have interesting effects on chemical processes.