Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

arXiv:1802.06906 · Physical review. B./Physical review. B

Coherent merging of counterpropagating exciton-polariton superfluids

Thomas Boulier, Simon Pigeon, E. Cancellieri, Paul Robin, E. Giacobino, Quentin C. Glorieux, Alberto Bramati

Published Jul 9, 2018• 4 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

We report the formation of a macroscopic coherent state emerging from colliding polariton fluids. Four lasers with random relative phases, arranged in a square, pump resonantly a planar microcavity, creating four coherent polariton fluids propagating toward each other. When the density (interactions) increases, the four fluids synchronize and the topological excitations (vortex or soliton) disappear to form a single quantum superfluid.

DOI
10.1103/physrevb.98.024503

Related papers

Polariton Superfluids Reveal Quantum Hydrodynamic Solitons

Alberto Amo, Simon Pigeon, D. Sanvitto +9 more

A quantum fluid passing an obstacle behaves differently from a classical one. When the flow is slow enough, the quantum gas enters a superfluid regime, and neither whirlpools nor waves form around the obstacle. For higher flow velocities, it has been predicted that the perturbation induced by the defect gives rise to the turbulent emission of quantized vortices and to the nucleation of solitons. Using an interacting Bose gas of exciton-polaritons in a semiconductor microcavity, we report the transition from superfluidity to the hydrodynamic formation of oblique dark solitons and vortex streets in the wake of a potential barrier. The direct observation of these topological excitations provides key information on the mechanisms of superflow and shows the potential of polariton condensates for quantum turbulence studies.

arXiv:1101.2530•Science•Jun 3, 2011•477 citations

Quantum Degeneracy of Microcavity Polaritons

A. Baas, Jean‐Philippe Karr, Marco Romanelli +2 more

We investigate experimentally one of the main features of a quantum fluid constituted by exciton polaritons in a semiconductor microcavity, that is, quantum degeneracy of a macroscopic fraction of the particles. We show that resonant pumping allows us to create a macroscopic population of polaritons in one quantum state. Furthermore, we demonstrate that parametric polariton scattering results in the transfer of a macroscopic population of polariton from one single quantum state into another one. Finally, we briefly outline a simple method which provides direct evidence of the first-order spatial coherence of the transferred population.

arXiv:cond-mat/0501260•Physical Review Letters•May 1, 2006•53 citations

Four-Wave Mixing of Spontaneously Created Exciton-Polariton Condensates

Eliezer Estrecho, Tingge Gao, M. D. Fraser +9 more

We observe degenerate four-wave mixing of exciton-polariton condensates in a semiconductor microcavity in the pulsed non-resonant excitation regime by colliding two counter propagating condensates, which forms an anisotropic halo in k-space.

Photonics and Fiber Technology Congress (ACOFT, BGPP, NP)•Jan 1, 2016•0 citations

High resolution coherent spectroscopy of a polariton fluid : Bogoliubov modes, non equilibrium phase transitions and turbulence

Ferdinand Claude

Excitons-polaritons of semiconductor microcavities are quasiparticles originating from the dressing of optical cavity photons by the interactions between quantum well electron-hole pairs. In planar geometry, their belonging to the family of quantum fluids has been many times demonstrated through the observation of macroscopic coherence phenomena, such as superfluidity and Bose-Einstein condensation. Like ultracold atoms, polaritons support on their surface a set of collective excitations, the Bogoliubov modes, whose spectrum encompasses the key information to describe the dynamics of quantum fluids. In this thesis, we present a wide variety of results concerning the detection and control of such modes in different configurations. Thanks to the development of a new high-resolution coherent spectroscopy method, we carried out a detailed study of the spectrum of polariton collective excitations. In particular, we highlighted the effects of the driven-dissipative nature of the system on the fundamental dynamics of the fluid, by investigating the interplay between the Bogoliubov modes and the polariton bistability under coherent pumping. This was the opportunity to reveal, in addition to the well-known phonon-type excitations, precursors of dynamical instability and the so-called ghost branch. Moreover, we studied the behavior of out-of-equilibrium phase transitions: first, via the effect of the system dimension on the bistability and, second, with the onset of a Goldstone mode, as a result of a spontaneous symmetry breaking in a parametric oscillation regime. Finally, we designed a pumping geometry that directly controls the instability modes between dark solitons of a pair guided by an intensity channel, leading to the formation of vortex-antivortex streets in the density.

•Nov 28, 2022•1 citation

Quantum coherence in polariton fluids

Alberto Amo, Dario Ballarini, Thomas Boulier +9 more

Exciton-polaritons are composite bosons (exciton-photon mixtures) in semiconductor microcavities. Relying on their strong interactions, we have demonstrated quantum optical effects in the microcavity emission, as well as quantum fluid properties in the polariton propagation.

The Rochester Conferences on Coherence and Quantum Optics and the Quantum Information and Measurement meeting•Jan 1, 2013•0 citations

Spontaneous condensation of exciton polaritons in the single-shot regime

Eliezer Estrecho, Tingge Gao, Nataliya Bobrovska +9 more

Bose-Einstein condensate of exciton polaritons in a semiconductor microcavity is a macroscopically populated coherent quantum state subject to concurrent pumping and decay. Debates about the fundamental nature of the condensed phase in this open quantum system still persist. Here, we gain a new insight into the spontaneous condensation process by imaging long-lifetime exciton polaritons in a high-quality inorganic microcavity in the single-shot optical excitation regime, without averaging over multiple condensate realisations. In this highly non-stationary regime, a condensate is strongly influenced by the `hot' incoherent reservoir, and reservoir depletion is critical for the transition to the ground energy and momentum state. Condensates formed by more photonic exciton polaritons exhibit dramatic reservoir-induced density filamentation and shot-to-shot fluctuations. In contrast, condensates of more excitonic quasiparticles display smooth density and are second-order coherent. Our observations show that the single-shot measurements offer a unique opportunity to study formation of macroscopic phase coherence during a quantum phase transition in a solid state system.

arXiv:1705.00469•May 1, 2017•0 citations
We report the formation of a macroscopic coherent state emerging from colliding polariton fluids. Four lasers with random relative phases, arranged in a square, pump resonantly a planar microcavity, creating four coherent polariton fluids propagating toward each other. When the density (interactions) increases, the four fluids synchronize and the topological excitations (vortex or soliton) disappear to form a single quantum superfluid.
A quantum fluid passing an obstacle behaves differently from a classical one. When the flow is slow enough, the quantum gas enters a superfluid regime, and neither whirlpools nor waves form around the obstacle. For higher flow velocities, it has been predicted that the perturbation induced by the defect gives rise to the turbulent emission of quantized vortices and to the nucleation of solitons. Using an interacting Bose gas of exciton-polaritons in a semiconductor microcavity, we report the transition from superfluidity to the hydrodynamic formation of oblique dark solitons and vortex streets in the wake of a potential barrier. The direct observation of these topological excitations provides key information on the mechanisms of superflow and shows the potential of polariton condensates for quantum turbulence studies.
We investigate experimentally one of the main features of a quantum fluid constituted by exciton polaritons in a semiconductor microcavity, that is, quantum degeneracy of a macroscopic fraction of the particles. We show that resonant pumping allows us to create a macroscopic population of polaritons in one quantum state. Furthermore, we demonstrate that parametric polariton scattering results in the transfer of a macroscopic population of polariton from one single quantum state into another one. Finally, we briefly outline a simple method which provides direct evidence of the first-order spatial coherence of the transferred population.
Excitons-polaritons of semiconductor microcavities are quasiparticles originating from the dressing of optical cavity photons by the interactions between quantum well electron-hole pairs. In planar geometry, their belonging to the family of quantum fluids has been many times demonstrated through the observation of macroscopic coherence phenomena, such as superfluidity and Bose-Einstein condensation. Like ultracold atoms, polaritons support on their surface a set of collective excitations, the Bogoliubov modes, whose spectrum encompasses the key information to describe the dynamics of quantum fluids. In this thesis, we present a wide variety of results concerning the detection and control of such modes in different configurations. Thanks to the development of a new high-resolution coherent spectroscopy method, we carried out a detailed study of the spectrum of polariton collective excitations. In particular, we highlighted the effects of the driven-dissipative nature of the system on the fundamental dynamics of the fluid, by investigating the interplay between the Bogoliubov modes and the polariton bistability under coherent pumping. This was the opportunity to reveal, in addition to the well-known phonon-type excitations, precursors of dynamical instability and the so-called ghost branch. Moreover, we studied the behavior of out-of-equilibrium phase transitions: first, via the effect of the system dimension on the bistability and, second, with the onset of a Goldstone mode, as a result of a spontaneous symmetry breaking in a parametric oscillation regime. Finally, we designed a pumping geometry that directly controls the instability modes between dark solitons of a pair guided by an intensity channel, leading to the formation of vortex-antivortex streets in the density.
Bose-Einstein condensate of exciton polaritons in a semiconductor microcavity is a macroscopically populated coherent quantum state subject to concurrent pumping and decay. Debates about the fundamental nature of the condensed phase in this open quantum system still persist. Here, we gain a new insight into the spontaneous condensation process by imaging long-lifetime exciton polaritons in a high-quality inorganic microcavity in the single-shot optical excitation regime, without averaging over multiple condensate realisations. In this highly non-stationary regime, a condensate is strongly influenced by the `hot' incoherent reservoir, and reservoir depletion is critical for the transition to the ground energy and momentum state. Condensates formed by more photonic exciton polaritons exhibit dramatic reservoir-induced density filamentation and shot-to-shot fluctuations. In contrast, condensates of more excitonic quasiparticles display smooth density and are second-order coherent. Our observations show that the single-shot measurements offer a unique opportunity to study formation of macroscopic phase coherence during a quantum phase transition in a solid state system.