A novel apparatus for strongly coupling two-dimensional materials to cavity photons

We have developed a novel instrument to investigate the creation of hybrid states of light and matter by strongly coupling photons and material excitations using optical cavities. The instrument features a vibrationally isolated confocal cavity that doubles as a portion of the heat shield for the sample. A cryogenically cooled 2D material is mounted between the two cavity mirrors and can be oriented via nano-positioners, allowing precise control over its position and orientation.