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arXiv:0807.0980 · Physical Review B

Stochastic polarization formation in exciton-polariton Bose-Einstein condensates

Dean Read, T. C. H. Liew, Yuri G. Rubo, Alexey Vitalievich Kavokin

Published Nov 11, 2009• 103 citations

Abstract

We demonstrate theoretically the spontaneous formation of a stochastic polarization in exciton-polariton Bose-Einstein condensates in planar microcavities under pulsed excitation. Below the threshold pumping intensity (dependent on the polariton lifetime), the average polarization degree is close to zero, while above threshold the condensate acquires a polarization described by a (pseudospin) vector with random orientation, in general. It is shown that the polariton-polariton interaction leads to suppression of the linear polarization degree of the condensate due to the self-induced Larmor precession of the pseudospin. We establish the link between the second-order coherence of the polariton condensate and the distribution function of its polarization. We examine also the mechanisms of polarization dephasing and relaxation.

DOI: 10.1103/physrevb.80.195309

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The dynamics of the expansion of the first order spatial coherence g(1) for a polariton system in a high-Q GaAs microcavity was investigated on the basis of Young's double slit experiment under 3 ps pulse excitation at the conditions of polariton Bose-Einstein condensation. It was found that in the process of condensate formation the coherence expands with a constant velocity of about 10(8) cm/s. The measured coherence is smaller than that in a thermal equilibrium system during the growth of condensate density and well exceeds it at the end of condensate decay. The onset of spatial coherence is governed by polariton relaxation while condensate amplitude and phase fluctuations are not suppressed.