Light-matter control of quantum materials: from Floquet to cavity

The past decade has seen tremendous progress in our ability to control quantum materials with short laser pulses (light-induced phase transitions, Floquet dressed states) [1]. More recently, enhanced light-matter coupling in cavity quantum electrodynamical surroundings has been suggested as an alternative pathway for light-matter control [2]. In this talk I will show selected recent highlights in both subfields. (1) The birth of Floquet control of topological insulator surface states induced by terahertz pulses on sub- to few-cycle time scales tracked by angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy with unprecedented energy-time resolution [3]. (2) Steps towards inducing superconductivity in 2D materials on surfaces by employing hybrid light-matter excitations [4]. An outlook of promising future directions and challenges along the way will be given.