Nonlinear dynamics of polaritons in photonic semiconductor structures

• Applicant: Dr. Oleg Egorov
• Subject Area: Experimental Condensed Matter Physics ; Optics, Quantum Optics and Physics of Atoms, Molecules and Plasmas
• Term: from 2014 to 2016
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 243331485

Within this project we propose to study novel optical properties of semiconductor photonic structures evoked by the specific nonlinear properties of exciton-polaritons. Exciton-polaritons form due to the strong coupling between photons and excitons, the electron-hole bound states in semiconductors. A photonic structure traps the photons in a tiny volume close to and below the diffraction limit, while the strong interaction of light with the material excitation creates significant nonlinear and quantum electrodynamical effects. On the one hand exciton-polaritons can be excited by light and their properties can be effectively tailored by means of a photonic structure. On the other hand the excitonic component of polaritons evokes a strong nonlinear response due to particle-particle scattering. Moreover the enhanced spontaneous emission provides a fast excitation-relaxation mechanism important for a high-speed operation. Our emphasis is on nonlinear dynamics of polaritons inside photonic structures with embedded semiconductor quantum wells including an analysis of the spontaneous formation of coherent states of exciton-polaritons (similar to Bose-Einstein condensation). Inside a periodic photonic structure we will design the dispersion and nonlinear properties of polaritons widely modifying the conditions for the coherent state transitions, superfluidity, parametrical instability and formation of self-localized states. Moreover we will study the quantum statistic, blockage of polaritons trapped inside the small volume. This knowledge provides the basis for the practical designs, where the nonlinear dynamics of polaritons can be used for all-optical routing and ultra-fast logical operations.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants