Quantum Vibro-Polaritonic Sensing

Published

August 15, 2025

Author(s)

Peng Zheng, Stephen Semancik, Ishan Barman

Abstract

Vibrational spectroscopies are pivotal in analytical methods and biomedical diagnostics owing to their singular ability to provide molecular specificity. Yet, they are intrinsically limited by weak light-matter interactions and their vulnerability to intensity fluctuations and spectral interference. Herein, we propose a novel sensing strategy by leveraging hybrid light-matter states under vibrational strong coupling between molecular vibrations and an optical cavity mode. These quantum vibro-polaritonic states exhibit characteristic vacuum Rabi splitting, which not only enables manipulation of molecular vibrations but also provides a new optical transducer. The feasibility of this strategy is established by combining theoretical analysis and numerical simulations. Further, through fabrication of a microfluidic infrared flow cell, definitive experimental validation of quantum vibro-polaritonic sensing is achieved. We believe this study represents a significant advancement in harnessing hybrid light-matter states for molecular sensing and offers exciting potential to impact applications in areas which include chemical sensing, environmental monitoring, biomedical diagnostics, and bioprocess monitoring.

Citation

Nano Letters

Pub Type

Journals

Download Paper

https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.ady7670

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Keywords

Quantum Sensing, Vibro-Polaritons, Vibrational Strong Coupling, Fabry-Pérot Cavity, FTIR, 4-mercaptobenzonnitrile

Citation

Zheng, P. , Semancik, S. and Barman, I. (2025), Quantum Vibro-Polaritonic Sensing, Nano Letters, [online], https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.ady7670, https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=959869 (Accessed October 1, 2025)