Light-vibration coupling opens new path for future electronics

Researchers at Rice University have achieved a breakthrough by creating hybrid phonon-polaritons in thin films of lead halide perovskite, merging atomic vibrations (phonons) with light waves to form new quantum states of matter. Using nanoscale slots in a thin gold layer to trap light at terahertz frequencies matching the phonon vibrations, the team demonstrated ultrastrong coupling between two phonon modes and light at room temperature—an achievement not previously realized in perovskite films. This coupling reached about 30% of the phonon frequency, producing three distinct hybrid states without requiring extreme conditions or high-power lasers. This advancement enables precise tuning and control of energy flow in optoelectronic materials such as solar cells and LEDs, potentially improving their efficiency by reducing energy losses. The approach relies on careful nanoscale engineering rather than bulky crystals or intense laser pulses, making it compatible with practical device fabrication. Supported by numerical simulations and quantum modeling, the study opens new possibilities for manipulating quantum