Mid-Infrared (MIR) light can interact with molecules by selectively exciting molecular vibrational modes. In combination with photonic structures, MIR can target specific vibrational states of molecular to influence chemical reactions. In this talk, I will explain how photonic environments can modify molecular dynamics through strong light-matter coupling. This strong coupling leads to the molecular vibrational polaritons – a hybrid quasiparticle between light and matter. Using two-dimensional infrared (2D IR) spectroscopy, we have demonstrated that strong coupling to photonic environments can efficiently promote energy transfer within or between molecules, subsequently slowing down competing reaction pathways. We further explored the criteria to fulfill polariton-enabled energy transfer, by which we discovered and verified a new principle to enable intermolecular energy transfer through polaritons in disorder materials. Lastly, we employed a polariton propagation experiment to determine the number of active polariton states versus the inactive dark states. This research progress provide insights into a rational mechanism and designing photonic structures to modify chemical landscapes and influence reaction pathways.
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