Critical dynamics and tree-like spatiotemporal patterns in exciton-polariton condensates

Abstract

We study nonresonantly pumped exciton-polariton system in the vicinity of the dynamical instability threshold. We find that the system exhibits unique and rich dynamics, which leads to spatiotemporal pattern formation. The patterns have a tree-like structure, and are reminiscent of structures that appear in a variety of soft matter systems. Within the approximation of slow and fast time scales, we show that the polariton model exhibits self-replication point in analogy to reaction-diffusion systems.

First-order dissipative phase transition in an exciton-polariton condensate

“…However, to date the theoretical studies were concerned with the first critical point, which corresponds to the quasicondensation phase transition. At the same time, very little is known about the critical properties of the second critical point [26], corresponding to the transition between homogeneous and spatially nonuniform condensates. In this paper, we investigate in detail the phase diagram of the model, in particular focusing on the critical behavior around the second critical point given by Eq.…”

“…In drivendissipative systems, external pumping plays the role of temperature. Recently, particular attention was devoted to universal properties and the classification of nonthermal critical points [4,5,17,18], Berezinskii-Kosterlitz-Thouless (BKT) transitions [19,20], the Kibble-Żurek mechanism of defect formation [21][22][23], phase ordering kinetics following sudden quenches [24,25], and critical dynamics [26]. However, most of these studies investigated continuous phase transitions, which in the polariton context can be related to the quasicondensation critical point.…”

First-order dissipative phase transition in an exciton-polariton condensate

“…Recently, particular attention was devoted to universal properties and classification of non-thermal critical points [4,5,17,18], Berezinskii-Kosterlitz-Thouless (BKT) transi-tions [19,20], the Kibble-Żurek mechanism of defect formation [21][22][23], phase ordering kinetics following sudden quenches [24,25] and critical dynamics [26]. However, most of these studies investigated continuous phase transition, which in the polariton context can be related to the quasi-condensation critical point.A firstorder dissipation-driven phase transition with an endpoint was predicted in a uniform condensate [6].…”

“…However, to date the theoretical studies were concerned with the first critical point, which corresponds to the quasi-condensation phase transition. At the same time, very little is known about the critical properties of the second critical point [26], corresponding to the transition between homogeneous and spatially non-uniform condensates. In this work, we investigate in detail the phase diagram of the model, in particular focusing on the critical behaviour around the second critical point given by Eq.…”