Atomically Precise Control of Strong Coupling In Molecular Dimers (SCIMER)

ongoing

SCIMER aims to demonstrate strong dipole-dipole coupling of molecular dimers with a long-term goal of establishing rationally synthesized molecules as a reliable resource for quantum optics. Molecules embedded in crystalline matrices have long been used as bright single emitters beginning with the first observation of single molecule absorption by the Nobel laureate Prof. W. E. Moerner in 1989. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) have proven to be robust single photon sources with near unity quantum yield, lifetime-limited linewidths, and indefinite photostability in cryogenic conditions. Two of these PAH molecules then can coherently interact to create bimolecular quantum states that can emit two photons within short intervals with enhanced radiative rates. However, the major challenge in realizing strongly coupled PAH molecules has been locating suitable pairs of molecules within randomly doped matrices, leading to only two PAH molecules that have been shown to exhibit strong dipole-dipole coupling in the past two decades. In order to directly place molecules in spatial configurations suitable for strong coupling, rational synthesis of dimers connected with an inert chemical linker can be used to fix monomers in close proximity and specific orientations to each other with atomic precision. The rational synthesis of these dimers is a novel field that can make an impact in quantum optics, specifically in the development of strongly coupled dimers. With her background in optical spectroscopy and physical chemistry, the fellow is uniquely equipped to lead this interdisciplinary project. She will collaborate with organic chemists and perform advanced single molecule spectroscopy herself with support from the nano optics division at the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light. The success of SCIMER will lead to the first observation of strong dipole-dipole coupling in molecular dimers, leading to a coupling regime that has never been seen before.