Hoffmann Group at NYU Chemistry

Explore with us the Light-Matter Roadmap!

Mission Statement

Our research aims to unlock the potential of controlled light-matter interactions by linking material science and quantum optics. Material science vastly relies on oversimplified field approaches and quantum optics is shaped by oversimplified material models, which diminishes their ability to describe many relevant phenomena. By introducing material-specificity to the latter and field-specificity to the former, our research paves the way for simulations of new modes of catalysis, quantum materials, and quantum information devices.

Research

We are working on all things light-matter interaction, from classical to quantum.

Chemistry in Electric Fields

The electromagnetic field is commonly described with less accuracy than the atomic and electronic structure. However, within a family of recently proposed modes of catalysis, the electromagnetic field component is complex and a dynamical participant that can not be treated with the typical approximations. Our group is developing methodological tools and performing simulations that recognize the complexity of the electromagnetic field to identify essential features of its participation in the catalysis.

Polaritonic Chemistry

Polaritonic chemistry is a nascent field that opens up new possibilities for controlling material properties and modifying chemical processes by taking advantage of the strong light-matter interaction that arises when matter is confined in optical cavities. We are exploring fundamental features of non-conventional cavities including their potential to change physio-chemical properties of materials and are developing scalable computational methods alike. For the latter, we are spearheading ab-initio quantum chemistry methods adapted to the explicit treatment of photons.

Quantum Information

Photons are one of the best carriers of quantum information. However, the missing link between realistic experimentally achievable physical systems and the often highly simplified theoretically proposed mechanisms and protocols under perfect conditions hinder photonic qubits from being realized at a large scale. Therefore, we are exploring a material science perspective to the concept of photonic qubits in order to explore the realistic potential of all-optical quantum information processors.

For more check out our publications

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