Way to unlock polaritons’ ‘magic power’ discovered

By tuning the disorder in a reaction, researchers in the US have found a way to control the unusual light–matter hybrid particles known as polaritons. The finding is a step towards understanding the mysterious mechanisms underlying polaritonic chemistry, in which compounds placed in an optical cavity – a tiny box with mirrored walls – can behave in unexpected ways. This could one day be used to drive difficult reactions, create more efficient solar cells – or make lightsabers.