Reservoir optics with exciton-polariton condensates

Abstract

We investigate an all-optical microscale planar lensing technique based on coherent fluids of semiconductor cavity exciton-polariton condensates. Our theoretical analysis underpins the potential in using state-of-the-art spatial light modulation of nonresonant excitation beams to guide and focus polariton condensates away from their pumping region. The nonresonant excitation profile generates an excitonic reservoir that blueshifts the polariton mode and provides gain, which can be spatially tailored into lens shapes at the microscale to refract condensate waves. We propose several different avenues in controlling the condensate fluid, and demonstrate formation of highly enhanced and localised condensates away from the pumped reservoirs. This opens new perspectives in guiding quantum fluids of light and generating polariton condensates that are shielded from detrimental reservoir dephasing effects.

Enhanced coupling between ballistic exciton-polariton condensates through tailored pumping

“…Such shaping of the pump spot can be realized using spatial light modulators on the incident excitation, which allows focusing almost arbitrary excitation patterns onto the microcavity plane [19]. This has enabled the demonstration of all-optical in-plane polariton waveguides [33,34], transistor switches [35,36], amplification [37], tailored momentum distribution [19], and microlensing [38]. Notice how the triangular-shaped condensate in Fig.…”

Interaction between an impurity and nonlinear excitations in a polariton condensate

“…In deriving Eq. ( 6), the incoherent pumping of Pad (x) is adjusted to be Pcoh (x) = −2|ψ| 2 − ḡR m R within the current experimental capability [40][41][42]. Below, we investigate the interaction between an impurity described by the γ term in Eq.…”

Interaction between an Impurity and Nonlinear Excitations in a Polariton Condensate

“…[ 40 ], we insert Equation ( 5 ) into Equation ( 3 ), and rewrite Equation ( 3 ) as Here, we model as a spatially modulated Gaussian function with the power and width , i.e., ; the parameters and are referred to as the polariton loss rate and the gain saturation, respectively. In deriving Equation ( 6 ), the incoherent pumping of is adjusted to be within the current experimental capability [ 44 , 45 , 46 ]. Below, we investigate the interaction between a bright soliton and the impurity as captured by the term in Equation ( 6 ).…”