Quantum Photo-Science

Staff & Contact

Educational Staff	Prof. Hiroyuki Katsuki Assistant Prof. Stemo Garrek
URL	https://qps-lab-naist-en.labby.jp/

Education and Research Activities in the Laboratory

The Quantum Photo-Science Laboratory studies various types of quantum states of target systems by using shaped ultrashort laser pulses and nonlinear spectroscopic techniques. While most properties of material are determined by the characteristics of constituent atoms and molecules, sometimes new and exotic optical and electromagnetic properties may appear in the coherent state, in which many atoms and molecules share a common phase factor. In our laboratory, we are interested in the quantum mechanical properties of materials, including the microcavity polaritons, coherent phonons, and two-dimensional semiconductor materials. We utilize lasers to investigate the ultrafast dynamics of such systems, looking for the applications such as polariton-based catalysis for chemical reactions, light emitting devices and photo-switching devices.

Research Theme

1. Ultrafast dynamics of vibrational polaritons

Vibrational polariton is a mixed quasiparticle of Mid-IR photon and molecular vibrational motion. Recently, it is shown that the formation of vibrational polariton can affect various properties of molecules. We apply ultrafast spectroscopic techniques to reveal the background physics and chemistry of such new phenomena.

2. Coherent control of condensed phase quantum states

Coherent control is a technique to manipulate the quantum wavefunction of target systems by precisely designed laser pulses. We apply this technique to control the coherent phonon motion in various single crystalline systems. Our goal is to trigger a photo-induced phase transition induced by electron-phonon interactions.

3. two-dimensional semiconductor for nano-photonic devices

Transition metal dichalcogenide is a two-dimensional material with a finite bandgap. Depending on the number of layers, its optical properties change drastically. In particular, monolayer TMDC is promising for optoelectronic applications due to its high emissivity. We combine TMDC with our microcavity environment to develop room temperature quantum devices.

Explanatory Pictures of Research Activities

Fig. 1 Experimental setup for ultrafast nonlinear spectroscopy

Fig. 2 formation of vibrational polaritons and ultrafast measurement scheme

Fig. 3 ultrafast dynamics of TMDC exciton-polaritons

Recent Research Papers and Achievements

Development of spacer-less flow-cell cavity for vibrational polaritons,　Hayata Yamada, Garrek Stemo, Hiroyuki Katsuki, and Hisao Yanagi,　J. Phys. Chem. B 126, 4689-4696 (2022).
Polymorph- and molecular alignment-dependent lasing behaviors of a cyano-substituted thiophene/phenylene co-oligomer,Tomomi Jinjyo, Hitoshi Mizuno, Fumio Sasaki, and Hisao Yanagi, J. Mater. Chem. C 11, 1714-1725 (2023).
Polymorph-dependent optical properties of light blue- and green-emitting crystals of cyano group-substituted thiophene/phenylene co-oligomer, Nanang Adrianto, Hitoshi Mizuno, Andi Marwanti Panre, Tomomi Jinjyo, Hiroyuki Katsuki, ACS Omega 11, 15922-15932 (2026).
Ultrafast dynamics of vibrational polaritonic states in diphenylphosphoryl azide, G. Stemo, J. Nishiuchi, H. Bhakta, H. Mao, G. Wiesehan, W. Xiong and H. Katsuki, J. Phys. Chem. A 128, 1817-1824 (2024).