Tunable Optomechanical Microcavities with Nanofluidic Access for Photochemistry under Confinement

Research Project, 2025 – 2030

Photochemical and photocatalytic reactions play vital roles in science and technology, from molecule manufacturing to environmental cleanup and solar fuel production. These reactions are greatly affected by spatial confinement within nanoscale cavities and pores. In nanophotonics, optical resonators and microcavities confine light within small volumes, enhancing light-matter interactions and enabling phenomena like strong light-matter coupling and altered reaction rates.Our project aims to merge photochemistry, nanofluidics, and the quantum electrodynamics Casimir force, to confine both light and matter in a single system. By integrating these phenomena on similar length scales (1-10 nm for matter and 50-150 nm for light), we anticipate revolutionizing photochemical processes.However, such an integration faces challenges. Current optical microcavities lack dynamic control and are mechanically rigid, hindering in situ modifications. Accessing the interior for continuous flow reactions is difficult, and quantifying products is challenging.To overcome these obstacles, we will assemble experts in nanophotonics (Shegai), nanofluidics (Langhammer), and photochemistry (Grommet). With our recently gained expertise in self-assembling optical microcavities, catalysis in nanofluidic channels, and modifying photochemical behavior, we aim to develop optomechanically tunable microcavities with nanofluidic access, establishing a new paradigm in photochemistry and photocatalysis.