Coherent coupling of a single molecule to a scanning Fabry-Perot microcavity

Abstract

Organic dye molecules have been used in great many scientific and technological applications, but their wider use in quantum optics has been hampered by transitions to short-lived vibrational levels, which limit their coherence properties. To remedy this, one can take advantage of optical resonators. Here we present the first results on coherent molecule-resonator coupling, where a single polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon molecule extinguishes 38\% of the light entering a microcavity at liquid helium temperature. We also demonstrate four-fold improvement of single-molecule stimulated emission compared to free-space focusing and set the ground for coherent mechanical manipulation of the molecular transition. Our experimental approach based on a microcavity of low mode volume and low quality factor paves the way for the realization of various nonlinear and collective quantum optical effects with molecules.