Cluster Formation and Phase Transitions Induced by Vibrational Strong Coupling

K K. Sandeep S S. Swaminathan A A. Jayachandran (University of Strasbourg CNRS, ISIS & icFRC, 8 allée Gaspard Monge Strasbourg 67000 France) K K. Nagarajan (University of Strasbourg and CNRS, ISIS & CESQ 1 , 67000 Strasbourg,) J J. Gautier (University of Strasbourg CNRS, ISIS & icFRC, 8 allée Gaspard Monge Strasbourg 67000 France) S S. Kushida (University of Strasbourg CNRS, ISIS & icFRC, 8 allée Gaspard Monge Strasbourg 67000 France) T T. Chervy (University of Strasbourg and CNRS, ISIS & CESQ 1 , 67000 Strasbourg,) R R.M.A. Vergauwe (University of Strasbourg CNRS, ISIS & icFRC, 8 allée Gaspard Monge Strasbourg 67000 France) A A. Thomas (University of Strasbourg and CNRS, ISIS & CESQ 1 , 67000 Strasbourg,) T T.W. Ebbesen (University of Strasbourg CNRS, ISIS & icFRC, 8 allée Gaspard Monge Strasbourg 67000 France)

Abstract

Abstract Vibrational strong coupling (VSC) has been shown to significantly modify the chemical and physical properties of molecules and materials. Here we report the non‐resonant Rayleigh scattering of various molecules in liquid phase, such as toluene and water, and find that it is enhanced by ca. two orders of magnitude in the visible upon VSC of vibrational bands of the solvent in the infrared (IR). The results show that the enhanced scattering is due to the formation of new phase possibly consisting of clusters. The VSC phase undergoes a well‐defined transition with temperature and solvent composition. This finding has significant consequences for understanding how VSC influences molecular processes such as chemical reactivity and self‐assembly.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 65, Issue 1
Published January 02, 2026
ISSN 1433-7851
Publisher Wiley

Journal Info

Angewandte Chemie International Edition

Wiley

ISSN: 1433-7851 Physical Sciences

Authors (10)

K

K. Sandeep

S

S. Swaminathan

A

A. Jayachandran

University of Strasbourg CNRS, ISIS & icFRC, 8 allée Gaspard Monge Strasbourg 67000 France

K

K. Nagarajan

University of Strasbourg and CNRS, ISIS & CESQ 1 , 67000 Strasbourg,

J

J. Gautier

University of Strasbourg CNRS, ISIS & icFRC, 8 allée Gaspard Monge Strasbourg 67000 France

S

S. Kushida

University of Strasbourg CNRS, ISIS & icFRC, 8 allée Gaspard Monge Strasbourg 67000 France

T

T. Chervy

University of Strasbourg and CNRS, ISIS & CESQ 1 , 67000 Strasbourg,

R

R.M.A. Vergauwe

University of Strasbourg CNRS, ISIS & icFRC, 8 allée Gaspard Monge Strasbourg 67000 France

A

A. Thomas

University of Strasbourg and CNRS, ISIS & CESQ 1 , 67000 Strasbourg,

T

T.W. Ebbesen

University of Strasbourg CNRS, ISIS & icFRC, 8 allée Gaspard Monge Strasbourg 67000 France