Project description
A new window on the strong coupling of quantum light and matter in a vacuum
Over the last three decades, the physics of strong light–matter coupling has been explored theoretically and, more recently, experimentally. The achievement of weak and strong coupling of quantum light and matter has enabled the increased control of quantum systems and applications in quantum sensing and information processing. Polaritons are mixed light–matter particles arising from the strong coupling between excitons (a bound state of an excited electron and an associated hole) and photons. The light–matter coupling and the resulting polaritons arise from the vacuum conditions of the confined 2D semiconductor microcavity. The EU-funded MaP project is extending the realm of previous investigations into the matter component of the light–matter coupling. An innovative platform promises to shed light on mechanisms responsible for vacuum field-assisted charge transport and phase transitions of matter induced by coupling.
Objective
An electromagnetic mode without photonic excitations still has a non-zero energy - called zero-point energy. The resulting vacuum fluctuations give rise to long known physical effects such as the spontaneous emission. By engineering electromagnetic modes in cavities, vacuum can be made to interact with matter in the extensively studied weak, strong and ultrastrong light-matter coupling regimes. The term `light-matter coupling', as well as the optical experimental means by which the regime is usually studied, hides this important fact: vacuum alone gives rise to the coupling and to the mixed light-matter excitations (polaritons) of the system.
In physics, still only few experimental platforms have allowed to observe `vacuum-matter coupling' without photonic excitations. Properties of materials dressed by a cavity were successfully observed by measuring their conductivity [Orgiu et al. Nat. Mater. 14, 1123 (2015); Paravicini-B. et al. Nat. Phys. 15, 186 (2019)]. In recent years, the new field of polaritonic chemistry has identified other material properties altered by vacuum coupling, including chemical reaction rates and thermodynamic properties.
In this project, we intend to expand the new experimental access to the matter part via conductivity measurements to an entirely new system. So far, only highly disordered organic semiconductors [Orgiu] and very high mobility GaAs based electron gases were used [Paravicini-B.]. Here, we suggest a new platform using transition metal dichalcogenides inside a plasmonic cavity. This should work at room temperature and shed more light on the mechanism responsible for vacuum field assisted charge transport. In a second project, we attempt to alter phase transition properties by dressing a chemical to a cavity. Both projects aim to explore the potential of engineering properties of materials with a cavities vacuum field mode. They both mostly rely on optical, electronic and chemical experimental tools available in the host group.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences physical sciences condensed matter physics quasiparticles
- natural sciences physical sciences electromagnetism and electronics semiconductivity
- natural sciences chemical sciences
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
MAIN PROGRAMME
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H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) H2020-MSCA-IF-2019
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
67081 Strasbourg
France
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.