Strong Coupling with Light Enhances the Photoisomerization Quantum Yield of Azobenzene

The traditional ways to control photochemical reactions range from chemical modifications to tuning the surrounding environment. Strong coupling between a molecule and light, achievable in resonant plasmonic cavities, provides an alternative toolbox to manipulate photochemistry. Here, by means of accurate quantum chemistry simulations, we show that it is possible to enhance the photoisomerization yield for azobenzene in a realistic setup with a mechanism that involves full complexity of the atomistic dynamics of the system.