Ensemble strong coupling

Abstract

Strong coupling between light and an ensemble of molecules leads to the formation of new hybrid states and offers the exciting prospect of a new route to control material properties. Now a theoretical model has been introduced to complement the recent observation of strong coupling between the vibrational modes of molecules and an electromagnetic (cavity) mode. This new work by del Pino et al (2015 New J. Phys. 17 053040) makes an important contribution by offering fresh insight into the underlying physics, especially into the role of dephasing processes in determining the dynamics of ensemble strong coupling.