Coherent state switching using vibrational polaritons in an asymmetric double-well potential

Abstract

The quantum dynamics of vibrational polaritonic states arising from the interaction of a bistable molecule with the quantized mode of a Fabry–Perot microcavity is investigated using a generic asymmetric double-well potential as a simplified one-dimensional model of a reactive molecule. After discussing the role of the light–matter coupling strength in the emergence of avoided crossings between polaritonic states, we investigate the possibility of using these crossings to trigger a dynamical switching of these states from one potential well to the other. Two schemes are proposed to achieve this coherent state switching, either by preparing the molecule in an appropriate vibrational excited state before inserting it into the cavity, or by applying a short laser pulse inside the cavity to obtain a coherent superposition of polaritonic states. The respective influences of dipole moment amplitude and potential asymmetry on the coherent switching process are also discussed.