Here, we report the catalytic effect of vibrational strong coupling (VSC) on the solvolysis of para‐nitrophenyl acetate (PNPA), which increases the reaction rate by an order of magnitude. This is observed when the microfluidic Fabry–Perot cavity in which the VSC is generated is tuned to the C=O vibrational stretching mode of both the reactant and solvent molecules. Thermodynamic experiments confirm the catalytic nature of VSC in the system. The change in the reaction rate follows an exponential relation with respect to the coupling strength of the solvent, indicating a cooperative effect between the solvent molecules and the reactant. Furthermore, the study of the solvent kinetic isotope effect clearly shows that the vibrational overlap of the C=O vibrational bands of the reactant and the strongly coupled solvent molecules is critical for the catalysis in this reaction. The combination of cooperative effects and cavity catalysis confirms the potential of VSC as a new frontier in chemistry.

Here,w er eport the catalytic effect of vibrational strong coupling (VSC) on the solvolysis of para-nitrophenyl acetate (PNPA), which increases the reaction rate by an order of magnitude.T his is observed when the microfluidic Fabry-Perot cavity in whichthe VSC is generated is tuned to the C=O vibrational stretching mode of both the reactant and solvent molecules.T hermodynamic experiments confirm the catalytic nature of VSC in the system. The change in the reaction rate follows an exponential relation with respect to the coupling strength of the solvent, indicating acooperative effect between the solvent molecules and the reactant. Furthermore,the study of the solvent kinetic isotope effect clearly shows that the vibrational overlap of the C = Ov ibrational bands of the reactant and the strongly coupled solvent molecules is critical for the catalysis in this reaction. The combination of cooperative effects and cavity catalysis confirms the potential of VSC as anew frontier in chemistry.

Strong light−matter interaction of functional materials is emerging as a promising area of research. Recent experiments suggest that material properties like charge transport can be controlled by coupling to a vacuum electromagnetic field. Here, we explored the design of a Fabry−Perot cavity in a field-effect transistor configuration and studied the charge transport in two-dimensional materials. The optical and electrical measurements of strongly coupled WS 2 suggest an enhancement of electron transport at room temperature. Electron mobility is enhanced more than 50 times at ON resonance conditions. Similarly, I on /I off ratio of the device increased by 2 orders of magnitude without chemical modification of the active layer. Cavity tuning and coupling strength-dependent studies support the evidence of modifying the electronic properties of the coupled system. A clear correlation in the effective mass of the polaritonic state and Schottky barrier height indicates a collective nature of light−matter interaction.

Strong light–matter coupling is achieved by placing an atomically thin WS2 monolayer in a Fabry–Pérot cavity configuration. Herein, a multilayer approach is adapted for fine tuning the position of the active layer within the cavity. This allows the control of light–matter interaction between the active layer and the cavity photon. Moving the monolayer in the confined volume shows a clear field dependence, as reflected in their Rabi splitting energy. These are again confirmed by angle‐resolved transmission and photoluminescence measurements. A large drop in the effective mass is observed for polaritonic states formed at the antinode of the cavity, suggesting its potential applications in energy/electron transport.

Strong light–matter coupling offers a way to tailor the optoelectronic properties of materials. Energy transfer between strongly coupled donor–acceptor pairs shows remarkable efficiency beyond the Förster distance via coupling through a confined photon. This long-range energy transfer is facilitated through the collective nature of polaritonic states. Here, the cooperative, strong coupling of a donor (MoS2 monolayer) and an acceptor (BRK) generates mixed polaritonic states. The photocurrent spectrum of the MoS2 monolayer is measured in a field effect transistor while coupling the two oscillators to the confined cavity mode. The strongly coupled system shows efficient energy transfer, which is observed through the photoresponsivity even the donor and acceptor are physically separated by 500 Å. These studies are further correlated with the Hopfield coefficients and the overlap integral of the lower polaritonic and uncoupled/dark states. Cavity detuning and distance-dependent studies support the above evidence. These observations open new avenues for using long-range interaction of polaritonic states in optoelectronic devices.