REPLY has demonstrated various breakthroughs compared to the state-of-the-art. Different plasmonic nanoresonators, with optimized electromagnetic field concentration and distribution have been extensively explored, involving numerical design, clean room based fabrication and optical/photophysical assessment. The combination with semiconductor nanocrystals and/or molecular aggregates has provided remarkable results, where the marriage between light and matter in a confined optical cavity demonstrated the formation of a richer hybrid landscape with enhanced and broadened absorption bands.
In particular, the possibility of controlling the amount of nano-objects inserted into the plasmonic cavities, via ligand exchange and/or dielectric intercalation, has been used to vary the coupling strength and consequently to manipulate the energy separation of the hybrid states.
Among the major achievements, it is worth mentioning the comprehensive investigation of long-range plasmonic arrays, with a particular focus on periodic and quasi-periodic nanotextured structures. Their unique properties in terms of extraordinary optical transmission, collective effects and near-field distribution have allowed for optimized coupling strength, with possible implications on the future photocatalytic applications. Indeed, the integration of advanced functionalities into a single and versatile device can be used for both fundamental studies as well as for technological exploitation. In summary, taking into consideration the fabrication protocols developed so far and the novel heterostructures already synthesized, the research team should be able to explore, by the end of the project, different photocatalyst architectures/reactors operating within the light-matter strong coupling regime.
