Unraveled the process of energy transfer between two molecules at micrometer distance contained in an optical cavity

The research led by Dr Mattia Russo, , a post-doctoral researcher at the Department of Physics, Politecnico di Milano, was conducted in collaboration with CNR IFN, The University of Sheffield, University of Cyprus and recently published in “Advanced Optical Materials”. The study revealed for the first time the ultrafast energy delocalisation process between two molecules placed at a distance greater than the typical distance according to classical energy transfer laws. This light-matter interaction mechanism is possible due to the strong coupling between molecules and the optically confined modes in the few-micron cavity system.

By using two-dimensional electronic spectroscopy, the researchers were able to characterise the nearly instantaneous interaction between molecular transitions and modes in the cavity. The results open new prospects for the development of remotely controlled optoelectronic devices.